Campus News

October declared I Can Swim! Month

Swimming/water safety program celebrates 11th anniversary

The Board of Garrett County Commissioners proclaimed October I Can Swim! Month in Garrett County at Monday’s Commissioners Meeting, highlighting the swimming and water safety instruction provided by the program. Pictured, left to right, are (back row) Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College Dean of Continuing Education & Workforce Training Julie Yoder, Garrett College Trustee Madeleine Collins, CARC Programming Coordinator Angela Luby, Garrett College Public Schools Director of Finance Alison Sweitzer, Garrett College Foundation Director Mary Helen Spear, Garrett County Public Schools Director of Elementary and Early Childhood Education Dawna Ashby, and Garrett College Foundation Directors Julie Mead, Susie Crawford, and Julia Hoffman; (front row) Garrett County Commissioners Paul Edwards, Jim Hinebaugh, and Larry Tichnel.

The Board of Garrett County Commissioners has declared October to be I Can Swim! Month, recognizing the initiative that provides all Garrett County kindergarteners with basic swimming and water safety instruction. The recognition comes as I Can Swim!, founded in 2011, celebrates its 11th anniversary.

“I’d like to thank the Garrett County Commissioners for designating October as I Can Swim! month,” said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president. “I’m grateful to the commissioners for raising awareness about this valuable initiative, as well as the annual financial contribution the commissioners have been providing to the I Can Swim! Program.”

The program is a collaborative partnership between Garrett College, the Garrett College Foundation, the Garrett County Board of Education, and the Garrett County Commissioners.

"We are excited to celebrate the ‘I Can Swim!’ program,” said Garrett County Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Baker. “This endeavor has resulted in thousands of Garrett County students learning to swim. We appreciate the partnership with Garrett College and the supportive staff at the CARC [Community Aquatic and Recreation Complex]. If one life is saved, we will have done our job!"

“The 'I Can Swim!' program provides our students with essential life-saving skills while also promoting student confidence specific to sound decision making and instilling the joy that comes from being physically active,” said Dr. Nicole Miller, chief academic officer for the Garrett County Public Schools.

“GCPS is thrilled to partner with many others who work collectively to provide this exceptional enrichment program to all Garrett County kindergarten students,” added Miller.

“This program is just one more example of how Garrett County organizations work together for the good of the public,” said Paul Edwards, chair of the Garrett County Commissioners. “I appreciate all the Foundation and the Board of Education, working with the commissioners, have done to support the College’s work in this area.”

Utilizing the CARC, located on Garrett College’s main campus, students receive free American Red Cross basic swimming and water safety instruction. By incorporating the I Can Swim! program into the school day, the Garrett County Board of Education is able to provide school bus transportation for the students to the CARC.

For more information on the I Can Swim! program, individuals may contact the Garrett College Foundation Office at 301-387-3131.