By Monique Roth

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — St. John Parish the Baptist Parish will once again offer parish youth the opportunity to participate in the Ashley Kelly Swim Program this summer.

Applicants can register on Sunday, May 4, at Walmart in LaPlace from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or at the West Bank Recreation Complex from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Another registration session will be held on Monday, May 5, at Regala Gymnasium in Reserve from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Enrollment for the swimming lessons will be limited to the first 300 registrants.

The program will be available to 300 parish youth ages 5 to 17 in three sessions: June 16-20, July 7-11 and July 21-25.

The five, 45-minute swimming lessons each registered youth will receive will address floating, kicking, breathing, arm movement and swimming. Sessions will be offered in the evenings at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Alex Reese Swimming Pool at Regala Park in Reserve. The lessons will be taught by Red Cross certified water safety instructors.

St. John Parish President Natalie Robottom received authorization to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the American Red Cross and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation for this third year of swimming lessons and water safety instruction.

The Ashley Kelly Swim Program gives youth the opportunity to receive life-saving swimming skills and teaches safety in and around swimming pools and other bodies of water. Through the program, certified instructors teach participants water skills through fun activities.

For additional information or inquiries, contact Debra Poche in the Department of Parks and Recreation at 985-652-9569.