Teach Them to Swim

Over the course of three weeks during the summer of 2012, Marshalltown lost 4 young lives to drowning in the Iowa River. The tragedies highlighted a community issue: all children need access to proper swim and water safety instruction.

The Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA partnered with Lenihan Intermediate School to address this issue. The two organizations work together to provide swimming lessons and water safety instruction to 5th and 6th grade students. To date, 791 students have graduated from the program.  

Participants are selected based on financial need and the lack of prior swim lesson experience. During the 12-week program, swimmers receive a swimsuit (if needed) and a life jacket. The students are also provided with a youth membership to the YMCA-YWCA.

Contact [email protected] for more information on this lifesaving program.

Teach Them To Swim is provided through support from:
-YMCA of the USA Swim Lessons Grant
-Mechdyne
-Theisen’s of Marshalltown
– 100 Women Who Care – Marshalltown
-Union Pacific Foundation
_Community Foundation of Marshall County
-Generous donors to the YMCA-YWCA Annual Campaign