every child deserves a chance to live
What is every child a swimmer?
Every Child A Swimmer is a national nonprofit program under the International Swimming Hall of Fame that funds swim lessons for children from underserved communities. The goal is to eliminate financial barriers and save lives through water safety education and swimming instruction.
WHAT ECAS SCHOLARSHIPS ACCOMPLISH
Prevents Drownings
Reduces the #1 cause of preventable death in toddlers
Access Inequality
Gives kids from low-income families access to professional swim instruction
Water Safety
Teaches kids to swim and exit the water unassisted
how it works
All partner swim schools must be licensed, insured, and regulated by the Department of Health. Programs are held in professional facilities only (no backyard pools) and require low student-to-instructor ratios to ensure every child receives safe, focused instruction. ECAS also provides free toolkits to help schools share swim safety info
quality standards
Eligible families can receive funding for up to three months of swim instruction, making life-saving skills more accessible to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
scholarships
ECAS actively advocates for stronger water safety legislation across the country, working with lawmakers, communities, and partner organizations to promote policies that protect children from drowning.
Legislation
how POOL PROS CAN get involved!
- Sponsor a Lesson: Just $30 covers the cost of one lesson for a child.
- Sponsor a Child: $500 provides a complete set of 12-20 swim lessons that could help save a child’s life.
- Host a Fundraiser: You can organize events, product tie-ins, or donation drives to support the cause.
- Become an ECAS Ambassador: Help spread awareness, share water safety tips, and support related legislation—ECAS can provide email templates to get you started.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partner with ECAS through co-branded apparel, charitable giving initiatives, and employee engagement opportunities.
- Buy Gear: Purchasing hats, shirts, and other merchandise helps support ECAS’s mission.
how POOL PROS CAN get involved!
- Sponsor a Lesson: Just $30 covers the cost of one lesson for a child.
- Sponsor a Child: $500 provides a complete set of 12-20 swim lessons that could help save a child’s life.
- Host a Fundraiser: You can organize events, product tie-ins, or donation drives to support the cause.
- Become an ECAS Ambassador: Help spread awareness, share water safety tips, and support related legislation—ECAS can provide email templates to get you started.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partner with ECAS through co-branded apparel, charitable giving initiatives, and employee engagement opportunities.
- Buy Gear: Purchasing hats, shirts, and other merchandise helps support ECAS’s mission.
how others HAVE GOTTEN involved
AquaStar
ECAS brochures are included with every product that ships. AquaStar also prints and ships the brochures to anyone in the industry—free of charge.
AquaCal
Donates $2.25 for every heat pump sold.
Ike Carter Pools
Donates $300 for every pool they build.
AquaWorx
Donates $50 per unit sold.
Join us in helping to make Every Child a Swimmer!
Significant progress is being made as organizations across the country unite to support swim education and fund lessons for children in need. By working together, our industry has the power to create lasting change—because every child should have the opportunity to learn this essential life-saving skill.
Donate today or contact us to see what creative ways you can get involved in saving lives today!
frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for lessons?
Families under $50K income, with proof of need
What does $500 cover?
Three months of professional swim lessons for one child
Where is ECAS active?
Nationwide—with over 300 swim schools and with legislation in FL, GA, and AR, and more in progress
How are funds used?
Directly toward scholarships—schools are only paid after lessons are completed. Every dollar is tracked
How can a swim school partner?
Must meet licensing, safety, and quality standards—apply through ECAS
Is this a national program?
Yes, with ongoing legislative efforts in every state
What’s unique about ECAS?
They don’t just educate—they act, funding real lessons and pushing for state-level change