Harrisburg, PA - Hundreds of Pennsylvania students gained crucial exposure to swimming and water safety during the first season of a pool program that opened the pool at the Lieutenant Governor’s residence to public groups for the first time.
Students and advisors took advantage of the new program, created by Second Lady Gisele Fetterman to make use of the vacant property while addressing statistics that show higher swimming-related fatalities among children of color.
The program opened the 30-by-40-foot pool in Fort Indiantown Gap to schools and nonprofits serving students who might not otherwise have access to swimming and water-safety classes. They included church groups and a summer enrichment class for Harrisburg students.
“These children made full use of the pool to have fun while learning skills and gaining water exposure that could save their lives,” Second Lady Gisele Fetterman said. “They were so wonderful to host, and we’re looking forward to having them and other groups again next year.”
Requests for the 2020 season can be emailed to lgpool@pa.gov.
The pool program was the first time some of the students, ranging in age from elementary school to high school, had ever gone swimming, she said. Community groups supported the effort, donating pool safety supplies and toys, including floaties and rafts.
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said it’s clear that the pool program is one of the State House’s highest and best uses.
“The highest and best use of the property will never be to serve as a home for my family,” he said. “Given the painful history of segregation at swimming pools in this country, it’s fully appropriate for this property to provide life-saving pool access to all children.”
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