Summer Camp at Westward Look Teaches Kids Water Safety
Kids 5-12 learn the ABC’s of water safety in time for Drowning Impact Awareness Month
Tucson, AZ (07/20/10) – A timely offering with Drowning Impact Awareness Month just around the corner in August, Westward Look Resort will be offering water safety classes throughout July at its summer camp. Arizona ranks second in the nation for child drowning. In a report released just last month by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Arizona had the third highest number of childhood drowning or near-drowning events since Memorial Day Weekend, with 11 water-related incidents involving kids younger than 15 years old.1 This is the first year that Summer Camp at Westward Look will offer water safety classes, which began the week of July 11 and will continue through August 1.
The classes, especially for summer camp registrants, will teach an abbreviated version of the "Water Safety is for You!" program. The "Water Safety is for You!" course has been taught by Tucson Medical Center’s (TMC) Safe Kids Tucson coalition for the last four years through the public school systems in Tucson and Phoenix.
Campers at Westward Look, ranging from 5 to 12 years old, will learn about the ABC’s of Water Safety:
- Adult supervision
- Barriers around pools, spas and hot tubs Classes, swim lessons and life-saving
- CPR classes
The importance of CPR lessons, gated pools and constant supervision around water will be discussed. In addition, kids will learn about safety around open water and the dangers of playing in desert washes, which is especially relevant during Arizona’s monsoon season, when washes can rapidly become rushing rivers.
Gillian Needham will lead the summer camp’s water safety classes. Needham is Executive Director of the Arizona Children’s Alliance, a member of TMC’s Safe Kids Tucson, a certified Red Cross lifeguard, and a Red Cross instructor, teaching CPR and first aid to first responders. Needham will also bring in another lifeguard and a swim instructor to speak with the campers. Campers will complete the class by taking a water safety pledge, promising to practice water safety around pools and open water.
Summer Camp at Westward Look is open to the public and is operated by Camp With Me, LLC in conjunction with Westward Look Resort’s recreation staff. Campers enjoy engaging outdoor and indoor activities, including swimming, tennis, arts & crafts and games in an 80-acre resort setting. Summer Camp at Westward Look is open to kids ages 5 to 12, Monday through Friday through August 12. Water safety classes will continue through August 1.
1 Source: Sexton, Connie Cone. “Arizona Drowning Incidents Rank Third in U.S., Officials Stress Water Safety,” The Arizona Republic, 29 July 2011.
ABOUT WESTWARD LOOK RESORT
Westward Look Resort is set in the foothills of Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains on 80 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert. It offers 244 suite-sized rooms, two award-winning restaurants, a chef’s garden, the Sonoran Spa, eight tennis courts, desert hiking trails, on-site stables for horseback riding and multiple pools. Since 2010, the resort has been named an AAA Four Diamond Award® recipient each year, which honors the hotel for its commitment to excellence throughout the entire property, including GOLD restaurant, the resort’s extensive array of amenities, guest services and attention to detail. More information is available at 1-800-722-2500 and www.westwardlook.com.
ABOUT RIVER HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
River Hospitality Management is a hospitality management company that strives for successful management partnerships through offering a unique blend of integrated disciplines, experienced leadership and multiple resources. A focus to improve guest service quality, inspire staff performance and ignite revenue production creates a sustainable model for increased profit margins and enhanced asset value under a variety of ownership structures. www.riverhospitality.com.
