Summer Bluefish is a + POOL program that provides free swim lessons to underserved youth ages 8-13 who would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn how to swim. Because + POOL is committed to providing free and safe access to the water that surrounds NYC, we want to make sure all New Yorkers have the skills and knowledge to be safe in the water. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to swim lessons in our city.

Did you know?

79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little-to-no swimming ability (USA Swimming Foundation).
69% of Black children, 58% of Hispanic children, and 42% of White children do not know how to swim (USA Swimming Foundation).
Black children drown at almost triple the overall national rate (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
For children ages 5-14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Formal swimming lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by as much as 88% (USA Swimming Foundation)

We work with NYCHA to place kids in our month-long program with a special curriculum that meets all of the national standards for swim lessons, is designed to build a love for the water, and gets kids excited about swimming in the river and elsewhere. Your support can help keep this important program growing and give kids who need it most the chance to spend their summer swimming!

For $333 you can sponsor-a-swimmer (all 8 classes + gear) or for $50 you can sponsor a single lesson. That said, any donation amount is greatly appreciated. Every little bit helps!

Help + POOL Get Kids Swimming This Summer!

2023 Bluefish Program

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Team Members