Connecticut DEP and YMCA to Offer Children Swimming Lessons at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington

Pilot Program Seeks to Promote Water Safety this Summer

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the YMCA are offering swimming lessons to children ages 6 – 12 this summer at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington. The lessons, being offered in cooperation with the Winsted YMCA’s "Splash" Program, are currently scheduled for two sessions: June 25-28 and July 16-19.

"Each year millions of Connecticut’s residents and visitors enjoy state and local swimming areas without incident," said DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy. "We believe the accidents that do occur can be prevented if more people have stronger swimming skills and a greater understanding of sound water safety practices. Providing swimming lessons at our great state parks is another tool to raise awareness and assist everyone in safely enjoying the water."

The idea for offering swimming lessons at state parks arose from the recommendations of a Water Safety Task Force the DEP formed to help prevent water-related accidents this summer at state parks, local beaches, and pools – both public and private. Other recommendations the DEP will implement include steps to improve safety at parks where drownings have occurred in the past such as Millers Pond State Park, Durham and Squantz Pond, New Fairfield. The task force’s recommendations also focused on ways to educate state residents on the importance of ensuring the safety of their families when engaged in swimming or other water-related activities.

The swimming lessons at Burr Pond State Park will be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM. The cost is $20 per person for YMCA members and $30 per person for non-members. Adults accompanying the children taking lessons will receive free admission to the park for the day. To learn more or to register for these swimming lessons, please contact Kevin Eddy, Associate Executive Director at the Winsted YMCA: (860) 379-0708. Contact information may also be found by visiting the Northwest YMCA website: www.northwestctymca.org/

For more information on Connecticut’s State Parks, visit the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep or call the Division of State Parks at (860) 424-3200.