Where to find free or reduced cost swimming lessons

In light of the recent drowning in Clarkston, 285 South called around to find out what swim safety resources were accessible to low income communities in the area.

Both the YMCA and a Dekalb County Commissioner’s office told 285 South that after learning about the drowning of a 9 year old boy in Clarkston on June 7, they were working on developing additional water safety resources for families (285 South will update as we learn new information). If you know of any more swim lessons or swim safety resources in the area, especially that are easy to sign up for and low cost, reach out to sophia@285south.com.

Here’s what we found so far:

The YMCA  is offering free water safety and swimming classes in the Clarkston area this summer – sign up here.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 18 – July 11. 10am – 10:45am. Milam Park Pool. 3867 Norman Rd, Clarkston.

Mondays and Wednesdays, July 8 – July 31. 6pm – 6:40pm. Decatur YMCA: 1100 Clairemont Ave, Decatur.

Monday-Thursday, July-15th – July 25th, 10:00-10:45 Milam Park Pool. 3867 Norman Rd, Clarkston.

Tuesday and Thursday, July 15 and July 18. 10am – 10:45, Milam Park Pool. 3867 Norman Rd, Clarkston.

The Swem School offers scholarships for families. Call 678-247-4599 for more information. 

Dekalb County: The Police Athletic League Plus offers swimming lessons at the East Lake YMCA. Email Amingo@dekalbcountyga.gov if you’re interested.

Get local news dedicated to Metro’s Atlanta’s immigrant and refugee communities, straight to your inbox

Subscribe to 285 South

Author

Sophia is the founder of 285 South, Metro Atlanta’s only English language news publication dedicated to the region’s immigrant and refugee communities. Before launching 285 South in 2021, she worked for over 15 years in media and communications, including at Al Jazeera Media Network, CNN, the United Nations Development Programme, and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT).

Her writing has been published in Atlanta Magazine, Canopy Atlanta, the Atlanta Civic Circle, the Atlanta History Center, and The Local Palate. She won the Atlanta Press Club award for Narrative Nonfiction in 2023 and 2024; and was a recipient of the Raksha Community Change award in 2023 and was a fellow of Ohio University’s Kiplinger Public Affairs Journalism Program in 2024.

Contact her at sophia@285south.com and learn more about her here.

Comments (1)
  1. Love your newsletter and would like to connect.

    Here is an activity you can promote: A Serf Akuna Matata baby shower is planned by the Swahili Evangelical Fellowship of Atlanta Ga Church Saturday, June 19, 12 to 3 p.m., 1000 Rowland, Clarkston, GA 30021. Thomas Roger is the organizer. CDF Action and others are sponsors. I can send a flyer

    Roberta@cdfaction.org; 404 3172734.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.