Swim With Purpose and YMCA of Central Kentucky Provide Third Free Water Safety Field Trip for Students at Frankfort Independent Schools

Frankfort, KY — September 24, 2026 — For the third school semester in a row, Swim With Purpose, a charitable initiative dedicated to expanding access to lifelong swimming and water safety education, is partnering with the YMCA of Central Kentucky and Frankfort Independent Schools for "Frankfort Swims," a free water safety field trip being offered to local students.

Approximately 65 second graders will participate in the two-hour program on Friday, September 25, at the Whitaker Family YMCA. The program follows successful water safety field trips for Frankfort Independent Schools second and third graders in September 2025, and fourth graders in March 2026.

Like the previous Frankfort Swims field trips, students will receive hands-on instruction for pool, life jacket and boating safety, as well as foundational swimming skills. The goal is to give children practical knowledge and greater confidence in and around water that they can use long after the field trip.

Drowning Risk Remains a Serious Concern for Children

Drowning remains a leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 5 to 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Limited swimming ability, lack of water safety education, lack of close supervision around water, and increased exposure to recreational water are among the factors that can increase drowning risk.

Sam Taylor, Chairman and Co-Founder of Swim With Purpose said, "This is going to be a positive and memorable learning experience for these second graders. We are grateful to the YMCA and Frankfort Independent Schools for partnering with Swim With Purpose to make the experience possible again so that we can continue to educate children about water safety. There are so many benefits to being in and around the water for leisure, exercise, competition and more, and our hope is that this experience gives these children the confidence to enjoy the water safely for years to come."

"Teaching second graders water safety is about more than learning to swim. It is giving children the skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to stay safe around water for a lifetime," said Paula Anderson, President and CEO of the YMCA of Central Kentucky. "We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Swim With Purpose and Frankfort Independent Schools to show these students how to have fun – while staying safe – in the water."

"The second, third and fourth grade students who participated in the field trips last year loved the experience and learned so much. Now it's time for our new second graders to have that same opportunity," said Sheri Satterly, Superintendent of Frankfort Independent Schools. "We are thrilled to bring this program back to our students. Water safety is a life skill that matters at every age, and we look forward to continuing to build opportunities like this for our students in the future."

Expanding Access to Water Safety Education

Earlier this year, Swim With Purpose announced a new chapter in its original mission by dedicating approximately $400,000 in donor-raised funds to providing free swimming and water safety education throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Originally raised to support restoration of the indoor aquatic facility at Kentucky State University (KSU), the funds are now being invested in community-based programs that deliver immediate and lasting impact.

Through partnerships with organizations such as the YMCA of Central Kentucky and Frankfort Independent Schools, Swim With Purpose is helping bring water safety education directly to children in the communities where they live and learn. The ongoing Frankfort Swims program demonstrates the power of that approach: bringing community partners together to give local children access to skills that can help keep them safer around water for years to come.

About Swim With Purpose

Swim With Purpose (SWP) is a charitable fund managed by the Blue Grass Community Foundation. Founded by AV industry executive and passionate swimmer Sam Taylor, and endorsed by Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and the Michael Phelps Foundation, SWP is focused on providing free swim lessons and water safety programs for students across Kentucky. Through strategic partnerships and community-based programming, Swim With Purpose is helping create safer, healthier and more inclusive opportunities for swimming education.