Detroit Swims is a free swim and water-safety program designed for children ages 5–14 in Detroit and surrounding communities. We remove financial, transportation, and access barriers—because every child deserves to learn to swim.
The Need
In the U.S., drowning accounts for more than 1 in 10 unintentional injury-related deaths among children and teens. Here in Michigan—where 41.5% of the land is covered by water—we face an even steeper challenge:
70% of children in Metro Detroit have little to no swimming ability.
This represents an urgent public health concern. Water safety isn’t just a skill—it’s a lifesaving necessity.
The YMCA Solution
Through Detroit Swims, the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit provides:
- Free swim lessons at local YMCAs, schools, and neighborhood pools
- Certified swim instructors and lifeguards
- Swimwear, towels, goggles, and gear
- Free transportation to and from lessons
- An inclusive, encouraging environment for all children
Community Partnerships
We work with schools, apartment complexes, community partners, and donors to remove every barrier that prevents kids from learning how to swim.
Our Goal for 2025
We are working to raise $30,000 to:
- Teach 1,800 kids to swim in 2025
- Expand our reach by 20% in the next 3 years
- Reduce childhood drownings and increase safety education across Metro Detroit
Just $160 sponsors one child—giving them water safety skills for life.
Help us Reach Our Goal—Support the Corsan Challenge
George H. Corsan, Sr. revolutionized swim instruction in 1907 by introducing mass swim lessons, making learning to swim more accessible and efficient. His work at the Detroit YMCA laid the groundwork for modern swim programs, and as head instructor for both the National and International YMCAs, he helped shape swim instruction nationwide. Honor his legacy by supporting Detroit Swims through the Y’s Corsan Challenge—your gift helps more children gain life-saving swim skills.
Program Schedule – Find Safety Around Water Sessions Near You
Detroit Swims – Safety Around Water – Qualifier
Get Involved – Support Detroit Swims
Make a Life-Saving Gift
Detroit Swims is completely free for participants. The program costs about $160 per child, which covers swim gear, instructor pay, pool time, transportation, and pool maintenance.
- A $50 donation will purchase a swim gear kit for one student
- A $160 donation will sponsor all of the costs for one child to learn to swim
- A $500 donation will sponsor all of the costs for three children to learn to swim
- A $1,000 donation will provide transportation for 35 children to get to and from swim lessons for 8 weeks
- A $2,500 donation will help a classroom of 24 children learn to swim and be safe around water for life
Detroit Swims Wish List
In addition to monetary donations, we always are in need of new or gently used:
- Girls one-piece and boys jammers swim suits (all sizes, youth XS – adult XXL)
- Swim Caps
- Goggles
- Rubbermaid Bins / Ikea Bags
- Cinch bags
- Gift cards for gas for our bus
Donations can be mailed or brought to the Boll Family YMCA, 1401 Broadway, Detroit MI 48226.
Double your impact with a matching gift from the Farner Family Foundation.
Thank you to the Farner Family Foundation for supporting our youth water safety initiatives with their gift of one million dollars to the Detroit Swims program.
Volunteer or Work With Us
Join as a lifeguard, swim instructor, or on-deck volunteer. Paid roles include free training + a $500 bonus.
We are currently seeking lifeguards, swim instructors and volunteers to support our efforts. Become a lifeguard or swim instructor and receive free training and a $500 bonus.
Our Impact
Detroit Swims teaches over 1,500 children each year essential swim skills – and 5,800+ kids since 2010 have become safer in and around water.
Our mission is simple: eliminate barriers—cost, access, swim gear, transportation—so that every child can learn to swim safely and confidently.
Our goal: teach every child in Metro Detroit to swim with confidence.
Detroit Swims History
Started by lifeguards at the Boll Family YMCA in 2010, Detroit Swims was created to address the alarming fact that 7 out of 10 children in Detroit cannot swim.
The first season of Detroit Swims was funded entirely by the part-time lifeguards and swim instructors at the Boll Family YMCA, who collectively gave $2,000 out of their own paychecks to teach the first 35 kids how to swim. The lesson plans were created with their input, and the first pool site was secured because one of the lifeguards still kept in touch with their former high school principal. The staff is emotionally invested in this program, and that shines through in the care and dedication the team demonstrates in the pool.
Since the program’s inception, we have taught 5,800 kids to swim. We’ve formed a strong volunteer committee that helps us raise awareness, and we continue to raise funds to support more enrollment. We are breaking down barriers that prevent kids from learning to swim so that every child, regardless of their background, can be safe around water. And we aren’t stopping until every child in Metro Detroit can swim.
Thanks to our Supporters
Children’s Foundation
Farner Family Foundation
The Detroit Swims Volunteer Committee
The Detroit Swims Volunteer Committee is a group of dedicated volunteers from the swimming and local Detroit community that assist with fundraising, donations, marketing, and more.
Peter Vanderkaay and the Vanderkayy family
Four time Olympic medalist Peter Vanderkaay supports Detroit Swims as a volunteer, encouraging local swim teams to give back to support the sport of swimming.