Eco-Swim w MESD Migrant Education Project at Oxbow Park & Gresham Pool

On July 14, we ran our largest program ever: 90 students grades K-8, 100 Metro lifejackets + 100 whistles, 2 locations, 14 WaterStrong volunteers, 13 Gresham Aquatics instructors, 15 MESD educators, 1 Metro naturalist, partial English-Spanish instruction.

The Oxbow Park group received a guided tour of the geologic and natural history of the park with a nature walk down to the Sandy River and then up into the Ancient Forest. After snack, the students donned lifejackets, learned the fundamentals of water safety, reach assists and throw assists.

Meanwhile, the Gresham Pool group spent half their time in the gym learning basic water safety skills including the buddy system and SOS, and water education (the earth, just like our bodies, is 71% water!), and then in the pool practicing survival swim skills and how to fall in love with the water.

I’d be lying if I said the kiddos were the only tired ones by the end of the day.