Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi are partnering to teach children and adults with special needs how to swim.
The two schools will hold a joint swim camp in Hattiesburg between July 13-17, offering those with special needs an opportunity to learn the foundations of swimming and more about water safety. The event will be held at the Family YMCA of Southeast Mississippi on Veterans Memorial Drive.
Under the direction of Gregg Twietmeyer, Mississippi State professor of kinesiology, certified adapted aquatics instructors will help participants develop confidence in the water and learn basic swimming skills. The camp requires swimmers to attend one 45-minute or 60-minute session per day in a five-day period, depending on age.
“We are thrilled to be working with Dr. Alana Turner and the USM School of Kinesiology and Nutrition to bring an adapted swim camp to Hattiesburg,” Twietmeyer said. “Expanding aquatics opportunities for people with special needs across the state of Mississippi is a primary objective of the MSU Adapted Swim Camp.”
Turner is assistant professor of kinesiology and nutrition at Southern Miss and a three-time graduate of Mississippi State’s Department of Kinesiology. During the camp, she said her team will learn directly from Mississippi State staff and instructors as they lead the programming in Hattiesburg.
“Dr. Twietmeyer and I have been working for several months to make this camp happen. Our goal is to build on this experience and ultimately establish an annual adapted swim camp at USM,” Turner said. “MSU’s expertise and willingness to collaborate will be instrumental in making this possible. Additionally, support from the Aubrey Keith Lucas and Ella Ginn Lucas Endowment for Faculty Excellence will play a critical role in assisting with funding and advancing research opportunities associated with the camp.”
To be eligible, camp participants must be at least 3 years old and have a diagnosed disability. A parent or guardian must remain on site during the camp. Participants with a tracheostomy or G-tube stoma for less than two months are not eligible.
The registration fee is $100 with full scholarships available for those in need. Capacity is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, per officials. Both schools invite volunteers to assist and work with the campers for one session per day during the five-day period. All volunteers must be at least 15 years old and comfortable in the water. The deadline to register is July 12. More information can be found here.
