The Daviess County Swim Program is barely keeping its head above water, according to Chairman Ann Schweizer. The only way to keep it from floundering, is for the community to throw it a life line.
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The cost for children to take swimming lessons at the Gallatin pool has stayed reasonable through the years at $10.
"Our program is very cheap," said Ann. "It costs $35 at Cameron. I’ve had people ask me why not just up the price. We have some people in town with three kids who can afford $30. And we have some people in town who can barely afford the $10. I’d like to see as many children as possible take advantage of the program. I would prefer to ask service organizations to help out, than to up the price and lose the program for those kids who really need it."
It takes about $2,000 to pay the lifeguard and the aids. The swimming instructor, Jessica Gannan, has been paid. The young men and women who assist her in keeping the children safe in the water during lessons, have not.
"The aids put in a lot of time and do a lot of stuff for me," said Jessica. "I’m not the only person there with a group of 30 kids. I depend on them a lot."
Ann said only about half as much money as needed has been raised so far.
"All the aids take on the job knowing they may not get paid anything if we don’t get the funds from the community," said Ann. "This year, when they came in the first day, I paid them for the work they did last year. I think it’s commendable that these kids come in every morning for four weeks knowing they might not get paid anything. It’s some pretty nice kids that will do that."
The summer has faded away, fall has begun, and still Ann is not able to close the books on the swim program.
The Daviess County Swim Program should not be confused with the Red Cross swim program, though the two have an agreement. The program is funded by donations from the county; however the swimming lessons follow Red Cross regulations and the instructor must be Red Cross certified. Continuing lessons for the lifeguard to keep up with requirements is also an expense.
"The Red Cross was willing to let us keep their program," said Ann. "But because it’s not called ‘Red Cross,’ we don’t have to send that organization the money. It’s a way for us to keep the money right here in the county."
Two names are required by the program and Patty Elbert is on the account with Ann. They collect the money, deposit it in the bank, and pay it back to the workers. Every penny is spent to pay the instructor and the helpers.
This 2005 was the third summer as swim instructor for Jessica Gannan, 21. Before that she assisted the instructor as an aid. All together she has been with program since she was 10-years-old.
"I love doing it," says Jessica. "I’m going to school to become a teacher so it’s a good experience for me. And it’s a good experience for the aids who work with me to get to know the people in the community."
Ann has been the chairman of the swim program since 1981. She doesn’t know how long the county has had a swim program, but says it has been "years and years."
"We recently received a donation from a family that sent it to us on behalf of their mom. Their mom had helped teach the program back when the Gallatin kids used to get on a bus at city hall and drive to Cameron for their lessons. That’s been 50 years ago."
Without a county program, people would have to drive to neighboring towns for lessons or hire a private instructor. Private facilities aren’t a viable alternative for many county residents. Furthermore, private teachers can’t give the Red Cross certificate.
"Moms and dads want the certificate," said Ann. "What’s more important, is that the children learn to swim correctly, so they can be safe in the water, save themselves, or save someone else."
In fact, Jessica said, next year’s swim program will be broader and more in depth than those in past years. More skills will be involved for each individual lesson with specific assessments that must be met before the child can move on to the next level.
Swim programs are not just for kids, Jessica says. She has given adult swimming and elderly swimming lessons. The program also includes an infants and parents program. The smaller the children the more helpers are needed to be in the water with them. "We help the little, little ones get used to the water. Basically I train the parents on the skills they need to get the child ready for swimming lessons."
A kind and competent swimming instructor and committed teenagers willing to help are worth keeping. The program has paid a high price in the past when those reasonable expectations weren’t met.
The county swim program once had as many as 200 children attending.
"We’ve had excellent teachers throughout the years, but some people became unhappy with the program and went to other towns," said Ann. "We’ve had trouble getting that number back again. It’s steadily improving. We did have over 100 children attend this year."
"Over the past three years I’ve watched particular kids who started out deathly scared of the water," said Jessica. "They’d be screaming, crying, throwing fits. I’ve watched them come around to where they get in the water by themselves, play with their friends, splash and have a good time, and are just a lot more comfortable in the water."
"One criticism I’ve heard through the years is that the swimming pool is just a baby sitting service for people," said Ann. "Children are getting exercise, they’re not out running the streets. I think it’s wonderful that we have a swimming pool in town, at the country club, and at the lake where children can have fun and be safe. I hope everybody thinks kids need to learn to swim."
If you would like to help with the Daviess County swim program, send your contribution to Ann Schweizer at 1011 South Olive, Gallatin. Or mail it to the account or drop it off at the Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri in Gallatin.