Learn To Swim For Free With Outdoor Afro

Recently, I discovered Outdoor Afro, a non-profit organization which “celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature.” according to its website: outdoorafro.org.

For the second year, the California-based organization has sponsored Making Waves, a program that allows parents to be reimbursed for beginning swimming lessons for their children and themselves.

The daughter of a seamstress, Rue Mapp of Oakland, Calif., launched Outdoor Afro in 2009, after launching a Black outdoor clothing line.

As an active outdoors woman, she wanted to create a forum for Black people with similar interests to celebrate their culture by participating in outdoor activities.

Last year the nonprofit supported 2000 people learning to swim and this year they have renewed this goal, but as a press time they have only sponsored 638 people.

“Making Waves also aims to help Black families and Black communities develop a positive relationship with water. To reclaim our legacy and strengthen relationships with water, Outdoor Afro is covering the cost of beginner swim lessons for families across the country. Our 2025 goal is to ensure another 2,000 Black children and caregivers learn this life-saving skill while unlocking joy of water,” Mapp said.

This year the organization is sponsoring reimbursement scholarships of up to $400 per family for enrolling their child in a beginner or introductory swim class between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025.

Lessons must be paid for within this period but need not be completed within this period to accommodate those participating in multi-week swimming lessons.

Guardians must complete the form below and upload a receipt as proof of purchase.

Swimmership reimbursement checks will be mailed, or e-payments will be processed within 60 days of submission. You must be 18+ to fill out this form, located here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdn9q0cOye-N6oYmhi5ERRXibktYXpqgjN9qGE51pM3Ec0Q9A/viewform

“Outdoor Afro created Making Waves because research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consistently shows Black youth ages 10 to 14 drown in swimming pools at a rate more than 8 times that of white peers. This public health disparity is due largely to decades of segregation from public pools and beaches,” according to the website.

Outdoor Afro “reconnects Black people to our lands, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation.” Some examples of Outdoor Afro’s year-round activities include fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, gardening and skiing.

In addition to family sponsorships, vendors can partner directly with Outdoor Afro to provide lessons at no charge to students and get paid directly from Making Waves.

According to the website, swim Instruction providers must be certified in accordance with their local laws, have a business license, and proof of insurance in good standing, Outdoor Afro will cover the cost of beginner swim lessons for children and their adult caregivers at a total cost of up to $200 per child or adult student.

That application can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoD24VGbXj306ShdYM1nQDrATCFEPDbpM3AxML_pDYj6M2dg/viewform

According to the website swim instruction providers who qualify will be provided with a series of unique codes that can be redeemed by swimmers who have registered with that Provider. Providers can give the codes to swimmers that complete the Provider's registration process and indicate financial need. Once redeemed online at outdoorafro.org, the Provider will receive confirmation of redemption and can submit an invoice for payment to Outdoor Afro.

I hope this information helps someone learn to swim and saves a life.