KICK OFF SUMMER WITH WATER SAFETY PRESENTATION

School just wrapped up for the girls soccer team that I coach and my friends at Goldfish Swim School kindly invited them out to kickoff their break with a summer water safety presentation and by having some fun playing in the pool.  It was a great team bonding experience plus a nice way to reinforce some important message with the girls about being safe in and around the water as they get ready for a few months of summer fun.  The staff at Goldfish Swim School, along with their mascot Bubbles, provided some important tips to the girls.

Did you know accidental drownings are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 - 4 and second next to automobile crashes for those aged 4 up to 14.  So this is an important topic for kids especially at a time when they are getting ready to spend time at beaches, on boats, and in pools during the summer. The presentation highlighted some simple things to do to stay safe that are often overlooked by kids causing injuries and death.

The girls were reminded that even if they are strong swimmers when out on a boat they should still always wear a life vest.  Also if they are swimming with a friend who is in trouble get help instead of trying to provide aid themselves and potentially getting dragged under the water by the person they are trying to assist. Plus when at a pool or water park always know and follow the rules!  Life guards enforce rules not to hinder your good time but rather to make sure everyone is safe in the water.

Whether or not a child is taking swim lessons at one of their pools, Goldfish Swim School wants every kids to be safe in and around water.  So they provide free safety presentations like this one. Bubbles and his Goldfish Swim School friends will visit daycares, schools and recreation centers to help make sure children know basic water safety tips.



If you are with a community group, sports program or school involved with children between the ages of 4 and 9 years old contact a local Goldfish Swim School to inquire about their complimentary W.A.T.E.R. Safety Presentation. Bubbles loves to swim on over to libraries and schools to meet kids! Head over to goldfishswimschool.com for more information.

After the presentation, my team filled the pool with laughs and smiles as they enjoyed the day's open swim hours.  It is nice seeing the girls being friends on and off the soccer field!  Spending quality time together like this is a great way to build team symmetry. Thanks Goldfish Swim School for providing them with an educational and entertaining afternoon!

SNOW DAY AT GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL

It was -15 degrees outside but my kids were nice and warm inside our local Goldfish Swim School's shiver-free pool that is always heated to a comfy 90 degrees.  Because of bone-chilling cold weather my kids' elementary school decided it wasn't worth the risk of exposing students to the frigid conditions and called off classes for the day.  It was too dangerous to let the kids go outside to enjoy the snow day off school and they were going stir crazy inside the house.  Fortunately, a call over to Goldfish Swim School confirmed they were still open for the day so we headed over there to take advantage of their afternoon family swim time.

A nice perk of attending Goldfish Swim School is that they have an open swim time taking place every weekday afternoon that is included at no extra charge as part of a family's membership with the facility.  During the facility's break between morning and evening classes, families that have children enrolled in a swimming program or the Swim Force can take a dip in the pool.  Times and participation vary from franchise to franchise but for the location we attend open swim is Noon to 1pm Tuesday - Thursday and Noon to 2:30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.  It was a Friday so my kids had almost three hours to enjoy playing around in the pool during their day off from elementary school.

Moms and dads can jump in the pool along with their kids during these open swim hours at Goldfish Swim School.  Work with your kids to get some practice on their swim strokes or relax  in the pool yourself while watching them have a good time.  My kids always have no problem making new friends to pal around with whenever we go to an open swim.

While just swimming is fun in itself, open swim time also provides a time to bring out some of the pool toys. My daughter loves to put on flippers and practice her underwater swimming while pretending to be a mermaid.  While my son likes the floating mock ups of an automobile, airplane and atv that kids can spin around the pool on.  Plus there is a canoe kids love to paddle across the pool in.  Though they normally spend more time having spills than floating in it!  Plus both my children like to throw dive toys to the bottom of the pool and compete to see who can retrieve the most during open swim times.

Open swim times are a great way to entertain children while also having them get some exercise. Especially in the winter time when they aren't getting outside as much! Just come in during the designated times and swipe your key fob to check in.  Remember you have to be enrolled in Goldfish Swim School to take advantage of this exclusive benefit.  If you have children at home between the ages of 6 months and 11 years old and aren't having them participate in programs at Goldfish Swim School you really do need to check the place out!

Goldfish Swim School has franchises in 22 states as well as within the province of Ontario, Canada.  There are nine Goldfish Swim Schools here in Michigan including 6 in Metro Detroit as well as locations in Ann Arbor, Okemos and Grand Rapids.  Michigan is actually home to the very first Goldfish Swim School which originally opened in Birmingham, Michigan and based upon the great customer service, first class facilities, and wonderful lessons provided they have been expanding locations ever since.

If your kids are off from elementary school for a winter break, holiday or snow day, I absolutely recommend heading over to your local Goldfish Swim School for a jump in the pool.  Taking advantage of open swimming hours in the 90 degree heated pool at Goldfish Swim School on a cold winter day is always going to get you a thumbs up of approval from your kids!  For more information about the facility and its programs, please visit goldfishswimschool.com 

Disclaimer:  A Geek Daddy receives free products and services as a brand ambassador for Goldfish Swim Schools.  Opinions expressed are honest and my own.