A Paddleboat Regatta and American Red Cross water safety lessons were held for WSMR children

On Thursday, June 9, Aubrey Candelaria, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) Library Technician, Water Safety Instructor, and Lifeguard held a water safety community outreach program for the children on post.

A Paddleboat Regatta and American Red Cross water safety lessons were held for WSMR children

On Thursday, June 9, Aubrey Candelaria, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) Library Technician, Water Safety Instructor, and Lifeguard held a water safety community outreach program for the children on post. She partnered with the library to hold a water safety lesson consisting of playing, American Red Cross Long Fellow Whales Tales a series of water safety videos and reading illustrated books showing best swim practices. After the lesson, Candelaria held a craft session for the children to construct and color their own paddleboats to test at the Aquatics Center.

At the Aquatics Center where the Paddleboat Regatta was held, the children tested their paddleboats, learned about what materials sink or float, and how to implement the water lessons they learned in the library.

“We partnered with the library to hold the swim safety lessons and paddleboat regatta so that the children could build something and use their imagination while learning about water safety for summer,” said Candelaria. “Since the Aquatics Center is an American Red Cross learning center, we are authorized to hold American Red Cross classes and today’s lesson is part of that curriculum.”

The Aquatics Center provides swim lessons and is looking to do more community outreach through water safety classes and events in the future. This was Candelaria’s first time holding this class outside of her usual swimming lessons.

“We wanted to try something new by collaborating with the WSMR library to show the videos and make the lessons available to more children on post,” said Candelaria.

If families are interested in learning more, they can call the Aquatics Center for more information at: (575) 678-1068.

Photo 1: ​On June 9, Candelaria reads a swim safety book to children.

Photo 2: ​​On June 9, Candelaria and children watch an American Red Cross Long Fellow Whales Tales swim safety video.

Photo 2: ​​On June 9, Children construct and decorate wooden windup paddleboats in preparation for testing them at the Aquatics Center.

Photo 2: ​​On June 9, Candelaria and children test their paddleboats.

Photo 2: ​​On June 9, Candelaria and children discuss materials that sink or float.