As summer heats up, pools and safety lessons in Annapolis beckon

An Annapolis pool cleaning company is working with a charity to give swimming lessons to children.

Throughout May, also known as Water Safety Month, Southern Maryland and Annapolis Pool Scouts, a cleaning and maintenance company, is donating $1 from every job to Hope Floats, which puts together swim lesson scholarships. Pool Scouts, a nationwide franchise, says it has raised $80,000, which paid for more than 1,500 swim lessons.

Southern Maryland and Annapolis Pool Scouts owner Clarence Herry said he started working with the nonprofit in 2016. He confirmed that some of the lessons went to Maryland kids.

“Hope Floats provides swimming lessons to our community in Maryland, and the ability to align a pool maintenance company with our resident customers is a great partnership,” Herry said.

British Swim School, which is under the same parent company as Pool Scouts, Buzz Franchise Brands, provides the lessons.

It can be found within various LA Fitness locations across the county, including in Pasadena, Gambrills, and Glen Burnie.

The Hope Floats Foundation notes that drowning is the leading cause of death for children 4 and under, the second leading cause for children 14 and under, and is 5.5 times more likely to happen to a Black child than a white child, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The World Health Organization says that children with a lower socioeconomic status are associated with a higher risk of drowning.

Water Safety Month began in 2003; this year and last year it was officially recognized by Gov. Wes Moore.

Have a news tip? Contact Benjamin Rothstein at [e-mail], 443-928-1926.