Champions Week
unavailable for 2024
Champions Week took place for 4 consecutive years as a week-long gift of free swim lessons provided to swim students of all ability levels in a special environment designed to meet their needs. At this time, Champions Week is unavailable. For all swim students with special needs, Jordan recommends enrollment in ISR self rescue, in which the private 1:1 setting and the consistency and frequency of these lessons provides the platform for maximizing aquatic ability. For more information on ISR self rescue, email j.benners@infantswim.com.
I have been working with special needs children over the past several decades both as a physical therapist and within the aquatic arena. After having a child of my own with special needs and experiencing first-hand the heightened medical costs that these families occur, I quickly realized that these families often cannot afford recreational activities outside the costs of their medical bills and various therapies. Thus... Champions Week was born!
Champions Week is a week devoted entirely to children with special needs…at no cost! This week is funded fully via donations. Our staff goes un-paid during this week, and multiple volunteers contribute their time and talents so every child is paired 1:1 with a volunteer instructor. This is a week where children get to enjoy a small group lesson (either in groups of 2-3 children) alongside peers, learning about water safety, skills, and adaptations to water. We have fun, and learn how to be safe in the water. Parents drop off their swimmers Monday through Wednesday, and are welcome to attend lessons on Thursdays for the “Show Off Day” in which we make a special presentation and celebrate their progress. Champions Week has been on “pause” since the covid pandemic — and is still unavailable for 2023 — however we hope to bring back this special week in future years!
It is my heart that all children have access to participate in swim lessons, and that every child is celebrated and praised for their abilities, all the while being encouraged for the champions that they truly are!
Special thanks to Mandy McGeath Photography LLC who donated her time to capture the smiles and joy of all the children who participated in Champions week for our inaugural week in 2016!