Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, yet it is entirely preventable. Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS) is committed to changing that. Our mission is simple but powerful: to ensure that every child, regardless of financial means, has access to life-saving swim lessons and water safety education.
Through our learn-to-swim scholarship program, we provide 12–20 professional lessons in small class sizes, ensuring measurable progress with every session. These lessons don’t just teach the basics of swimming, they build confidence, instill lifelong safety skills, and create a ripple effect that protects entire families and communities. In 2024 alone, ECAS awarded more than $587,000 in scholarships, giving 2,135 children the skills to survive and thrive in the water. We also work closely with caregivers to stress the importance of continued swim education, and many of our partner schools provide free swim time to scholarship recipients so they can strengthen their skills in a safe environment.
But our impact doesn’t stop at the pool. ECAS is also driving change through legislation. We have successfully passed water safety education laws in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Arizona—with New York and California currently awaiting gubernatorial signatures. These laws require schools to share vital water safety information with parents and connect families to local swim resources—helping us reach more communities than ever before. Together, we are creating a generation of swimmers, ensuring that children grow up not just near the water, but safe around it.
How You Can Get Involved
Everyone can play a part in saving lives:
- Be an Ambassador: Share the ECAS mission with your network.
- Host a Fundraiser: From 5Ks and golf outings to movie nights, your creativity fuels our mission.
- Spread Awareness: Start the conversation—because you never know when it could save a life.
- Sponsor a Child:
Together, we can make sure that until every child can swim, our mission isn’t finished.
Learn more at everychildaswimmer.org
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