Providing an opportunity for every child to be safe in and around water
Swim For Charlie
Dr. Charles van der Horst Water Safety Initiative
Swim for Charlie is equipping second-grade students across North Carolina with life-saving water safety skills.
Now in its fifth year, the program serves students from Durham Public Schools and Orange County Schools. In the fall semester of 2025 alone, 785 students participated, bringing the total number of children reached since the program’s inception to 4,500 – representing 27 schools and 8 host pools.
Looking ahead, Swim for Charlie aims to expand into additional North Carolina school districts, making water safety education accessible to even more second graders across the state.
A FORCE FOR GOOD
In his actions as a social justice activist, caring clinician, medical researcher, Public Health crusader, and philanthropist, Charlie was involved in many activities benefiting vulnerable populations.
In keeping with Charlie’s values, his love for swimming, and interest with youth, Charlie’s fellow swimmers and friends, inspired by his actions, have formed a nonprofit charitable organization in his name to make children safer in and around the water.
Swim with us!
Volunteer to teach children to swim!
Instructor training provided by Swim for Charlie for all Volunteers.
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No certification or prior experience required, you simply need a love of swimming and of working with children.
Please join us!
Currently recruiting Volunteer Instructors to help with Water Safety Lessons beginning Tuesday, September 8th and running through the Fall Semester of the 2026-2027 DPS and OCS Academic School Year.
This September, we welcome two new Durham-based pool partners, Croasdaile Country Club and Parkwood Swim Club, and two new schools, Hillandale Elementary and Parkwood Elementary, through our school partner, Durham Public Schools. We are excited to expand our offering to include ~200 new students from these two schools.
We remain grateful for the support of our Donors, Volunteers, Pool and School Partners, all of whom are critical to the delivery of our program.
For information on our program including how to apply to be a Volunteer Swim Instructor click here.
Work with us!
Job opportunities
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children
No child is ever water safe. The goal of swim lessons is to make children SAFER in, on, and around water.
- 10 people drown each day in the United States
- 80-100 near drownings occur daily in the United States
- 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little-to-no swimming ability
- 64% of African-American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children have little to no swimming ability.
- 88% of childhood drownings can be prevented with formal swimming lessons
Partnerships
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