(703) The Swim Equity Gap: Engaging Youth of Color and Keeping Their Attention in Aquatic Activities

According to the USA Swimming Foundation, 64 percent of the country’s African American children have little-to-no swimming ability, compared to 40 percent of Caucasian kids. Closing the swim equity gap is a real challenge for park and recreation agencies across the country. Learn techniques and program ideas that appeal to youth from various racial and ethnic backgrounds and keep them engaged with aquatics activities. Explore the growing success of youth involvement via competitive swimming and other water sports offered in Washington, D.C. See firsthand how developing skills and talent can lead to career opportunities in the aquatics field.

Learning Objectives:
1. After attending this session, attendees should be able to effectively incorporate aquatics activities and competitive swim that engage youth of color in their aquatics program schedule.
2. After attending this session, attendees should be able to build an annual invitational swim competition centered around a diverse field of youth.
3. After attending this session, attendees should understand how learn-to-swim programs for youth can take children from basic swim instruction to competitive swimming.