Parenting often feels like a juggling act of protecting, teaching, and nurturing. While we're diligent about car seats, handwashing, and healthy diets, water safety sometimes slips through the cracks — until tragedy strikes.

Unfortunately, drowning is a silent and preventable danger that demands our attention — especially for children under five.

The Sobering Reality

Statistics highlight the severity of this issue:

  • Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in children aged 1–4
  • Residential pools and open water pose the greatest risks, but even an inch of water can be fatal
  • The silent nature of drowning — often without splashing or cries for help — means alertness is crucial

The Y's Commitment to Water Safety for All

At the Y, we believe that every single person should have the opportunity to learn the life-saving skill of swimming, no matter their age, race, or income level.

Swimming is more than a recreational activity — it's a critical life skill that builds confidence and ensures safety.

Through the YMCA of Klamath Falls aquatics program, we offer:

  • Infant and parent classes — water acclimation starting as young as 6 months
  • Preschool swim lessons — water safety + basic swimming fundamentals
  • School-age swim lessons — progressively building stroke technique, endurance, and safety skills
  • Adult learn-to-swim — it's never too late
  • Lap swim and recreational swim — for ongoing skill maintenance and fitness

Scholarships for Families in Need

The Y's mission includes financial-aid scholarships so that no child misses swim lessons because of cost. Our annual Community Campaign — funded by donors, sponsorship, golf tournaments, and the Brats Blues & Brews festival — directly supports these scholarships.

If finances are a barrier for your family, please ask about scholarships when you sign up. The conversation is private, the application is simple, and we want every Klamath kid to have a chance to learn this skill.

Beyond Swim Lessons — Water-Safety Basics for Every Family

Even if your child has had swim lessons, water safety is an ongoing practice:

  • Always supervise — no exceptions, no phones, no distractions
  • Touch supervision for young or non-swimming kids — within arm's reach in the water
  • Pool fencing and gates at home pools
  • Life jackets on boats and open water — not just for non-swimmers, for everyone
  • Learn CPR — minutes matter in a near-drowning event

Sign Up

Lessons run year-round at the YMCA pool. Visit us or call to find a class that fits your family's schedule.

YMCA of Klamath Falls · 1221 S. Alameda Ave., Klamath Falls, OR 97603 · (541) 884-4149