On December 13, 2017, the City Commission referred a Discussion Regarding a Potential Resolution to Establish Free Swimming Lessons For Every Infant and Child in Miami Beach to the Neighborhoods/Community Affairs Committee (“NCAC”) Meeting.
At the December 20, 2017, the NCAC requested the City feature more marketing for current learn to swim programming and made a motion for the Office of Communications to further promote these classes are free of cost to Miami Beach residents.
The Parks and Recreation Department offers free learn-to-swim programming to Miami Beach residents. The pools at Flamingo Park and Normandy Isle Park host Aqua Babies I for ages 6 months to 2 years on weekends (April to September), and the pool at the Scott Rakow Youth Center offers a 12-week Infant and Toddler Water Safety Program twice a year, for ages 6 months to 5 years. Additionally, children in grades K-5 enrolled in the After-school programs at the Flamingo, Scott Rakow and North Shore Youth Centers also receive free swim lessons during the fall and spring months.
From fall 2016 to date, 158 infants and toddlers have participated in both Aqua Babies I and in the Infant and Toddler Water Safety program (34 – Infant and Toddler Water Safety, 124 – Aqua Babies I). From January 2017 to date, 252 After-school program participants have taken advantage of free learn-to-swim classes.
At the time of this memo, the Parks and Recreation Department has been in conversation with H2Os Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”) to expand free swimming lessons. As part of the City’s grant funding awarded to the Foundation pursuant to the Miami Beach Fit Fest Grant and Sponsorship Agreement, the Foundation has committed to provide swim lessons to City residents at the Normandy Isle Pool.