Princess Ariel (Alyse Miller) greets the attendees of the Safe Swim event at ImagineNEPA on South State Street, Clarks Summit.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
Charlotte Christ, 7, was all smiles as Princess Ariel (Alyse Miller) made her entrance from the back of ImagineNEPA.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
Princess Ariel (Alyse Miller) leads the youngsters in a song during the Safe Swim event at ImagineNEPA.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
The youngsters follow the instructions of Princess Ariel (Aylse Miller) on dance moves on the stage of ImagineNEPA.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
After Princess Ariel (Alyse Miller) asks a question, hands fly up in response during the Safe Swim event.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
CLARKS SUMMIT — Over 30 youngsters attended a “safe swim” event at ImagineNEPA studios on June 12.
The event served as a kick off to summer and provided the organization with a chance to give back to the community.
Young participants especially enjoyed the opportunity to sing songs and take photos with Princess Ariel, who underscored the importance of water safety.
Organizer Katie Lane said water safety is something to be learned and is not necessarily intuitive.
For example, at a larger gathering, parents might assume that someone else has their eyes on swimming children at all times.
That’s not necessarily true, she said.
Parents were provided with special lanyards which designated the parent to be watching the swimming children.
If someone was ready to take a break, they would pass on the lanyard to another adult, who would then be responsible for watching the pool.
Organizers read the book “Petey and Murray Go for a Swim.” The book teaches children to never go into water without a trusted adult. It reminds readers that if someone is in trouble to “throw don’t go,” so that a helper doesn’t get in trouble too.
Parents were provided with information, as well as the lanyards.
Lane said it was a great turnout and a great chance to say “thank you” to the community in a way that will ensure that children stay safe this summer.
The event utilized a “Water Safe” curriculum from the Judah Brown Project, an organization that teaches parents and children about water safety in an understandable way.
