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Swimmership Program

Home Swimmership Program

Outdoor Afro Making Waves 2022

Swimming is a life-saving and nature-embracing skill. Outdoor Afro created “Making Waves” to ensure every child and caregiver in its sphere of influence learns how to swim. Research consistently shows Black youth ages 5 to 19 drown in swimming pools at a rate more than six times that of white children. This public health disparity is due largely to decades of segregation and exclusion from public pools and beaches. We’re working to reclaim our legacy in water. 

A swimmership is an Outdoor Afro swim scholarship. Amounts will vary based on financial need as determined by a selection committee. Applications are reviewed by a specially selected group of Outdoor Afro staff, volunteer leaders, and board members. Outdoor Afro Making Waves is sponsored by The North Face, KEEN Footwear, and Clif Bar. Applications open July 2022. 

How you can help: Sponsor a swimmer and caregiver by clicking the “Donate to Swimmerships” button below. After you choose your donation amount, write “Swimmership” in “Your Note for the Donor Scroll.” Thank you for this important step to addressing a national issue with our relationship to water.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A swimmership is an Outdoor Afro swim scholarship! Amounts will vary based on financial need as determined by the selection committee.

People of all ages are eligible for an Outdoor Afro Swimmership. The swimmership is only available in the United States of America.

We will open applications spring 2022.

Outdoor Afro staff will reach out to you. In most cases, we will pay for the class directly. Process will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

It may take up to 4 weeks to receive your swimmership benefit after you are awarded. We recommend to choose a swim program that will start 4-6 weeks after the end of the application period.

Yes. You will need to submit an application for each person.

  • If you are selected to receive a swimmership, you will be contacted by Outdoor Afro. Outdoor Afro will not contact applicants who did not receive a swimmership.
  • The selection process for each round is finalized one week prior to the close of applications.

No. An Outdoor Afro Swimmership is for new lessons only. We want to follow your journey!

If you have additional questions, please email swim@outdoorafro.com. Allow 24 hours for a response. All emails are answered in the order they are received.

All fields MUST be completed to receive consideration.

Contact Us

    Name
    Age
    Name of Parent/Guardian (If applicant is a minor.)
    Email of Applicant (If applicant is a minor, email of parent or guardian.)
    Phone Number of Applicant (If applicant is a minor, phone of parent or guardian.)
    Address 1
    Address 1

    City*

    State*

    Zip Code*

    Have you attended an Outdoor Afro event before?

    YesNo

    If selected, can Outdoor Afro follow your progress?

    YesNo

    Check how you heard about this.

    An Outdoor Afro EventFacebookInstagramTwitterNewsFrom a friendOther

    What are you hoping to achieve from participating in Outdoor Afro’s swim scholarship? How would the swimmership benefit you?

    Please explain why you would like to be considered for an Outdoor Afro Swimmership. Include any special circumstances (i.e. medical bills, student loan debt, financial hardship, disability, cultural barriers, etc.)

    Have you previously taken swim lessons or participated in another swim program? Yes or no. If yes, please list.

    If granted a swimmership, where will you take lessons? You must enter the name of an organization.

    Website of organization

    Name of contact at the organization

    How much do the lessons cost? You must have spoken to the organization and provide the exact cost.

    How long is the swim program?

    When does it start?