Thank you for Volunteering to be a Swim Instructor
in the Swim for Charlie (SFC) Water Safety Program!
It takes a community of thousands to remove the barriers to making children water safe.
Thank you for your interest and for volunteering your time to help us make our NC kids
more water safe, and in doing so, saving many lives!
Let’s get you registered to participate as a Swim Instructor!
SFC Volunteer Instructor Eligibility Requirements: You must attend a SFC information and training session, and you must submit and pass a background check before you are eligible to be a SFC Volunteer Swim Instructor.
To register to become a SFC Volunteer Swim Instructor complete these three steps:
Step 1- To register as a volunteer, complete and submit the SFC Volunteer Swim Instructor Training Application (below).
Step 2 – Complete and pass a background check using the Durham Public Schools online system.
Background Check Details
As part of our commitment to child safety and to our school partners, in addition to being trained, you will need to complete and pass a background check using the Durham Public Schools background check system to be eligible to volunteer as a swim instructor.
=>It is important that you submit this form as soon as possible, before the training session, as the background check takes, on average, 2 weeks to complete.
- You must complete the background check form on a computer as the system does not work correctly with mobile phones
- Please complete and submit the background check form using the DPS on-line system
- Once you submit your completed form online, processing takes approximately 2 to 2 ½ weeks
- Watch for an email from the DPS system indicating your approval
- Once you receive your email approval, please forward the DPS email to Lynn Garrett at [email protected]
Step 3 – Once you submit your application from Step 1, it will go to one of our SFC Trainers who will then contact you to discuss your availability, sign you up for an information and training session, and schedule you for your volunteer session(s) at the pool. Please keep your eye out for this email or a call from Swim for Charlie.
FAQ
Do I need a swimming certificate?
You don’t need to be an expert swimmer or hold a WSI certificate. You need to be competent in the water, kind, and interested in helping young kids (~8 years old) learn essential water safety skills.
How does the Swim for Charlie Program work?
The program takes place in eight, 40-minute pool sessions.
We have two programs in May:
Program 1 – Morehead School 2nd Graders
Date: May 5 – 8 and May 13 – 16,
With two sessions each morning:
Session 1 from 9:40 –10:20 a.m.
Session 2 from 10:40 – 11:20 a.m.
Program 2 – Lakewood School 2nd Graders
Date: May 19 – 22 and May 27 – 30,
With two sessions each morning
Session 1 from 9:40 –10:20 a.m.
Session 2 from 10:40 – 11:20 a.m.
We love it when volunteers are available for multiple sessions, but it is not a requirement. We are happy to schedule you based on your availability.
Contact for additional questions: Tanyss Mason, [email protected]
Swim for Charlie Partnerships with Schools and Pools
Swim for Charlie is making waves (pun intended), and good ones!
Drowning is currently one of the top two leading causes of death in small children. Swim for Charlie facilitates a public health-focused partnership with schools and pools to teach water safety skills to 2nd graders in Durham Public Schools and Orange County Schools, to reduce drowning risk in children. Currently in its fourth year of operation, the SFC program has been recognized by DPS and OCS as having an excellent track record of student participation, achievement, and safety.
We continue growing to serve more schools and children each year.
Most of the students SFC serves will not have the opportunity to learn water safety or swimming skills without this program and will, therefore, be at high risk of drowning.
Currently offered in 18 schools in the DPS and OCS systems. We will continue to expand the program to include as many 2nd graders in as many schools in North Carolina that wish to participate.
A complete list of our participating pools appears in our list of Partners below.
Our collaborative model has, thus far, brought water safety instruction to 3,800 students from 27 schools, hosted by eight pool partners, and supported by 120+ past swim instructor volunteers.
Jewish for Good has recently joined forces with Swim for Charlie as our newest pool partner, and is supporting our mission to improve water safety in children by offering our program the use of the Levin JCC pool facility. Thank you Jewish for Good!
Partnership
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