Harvard Project SWIM – Adapted Aquatics

Contacts: Linda Xia (fdxia@college.harvard.edu)

Overview: Project SWIM is an organization of Harvard undergraduates teaching swimming to children with disabilities. Through one-to-one instructor to child programming, Project SWIM aims to provide a safe and fun environment for the children to splash, laugh, and learn.

The instructors and children meet every Sunday at the MAC (Malkin Athletic Center), when the pool and lifeguards will be reserved for the program. Each instructor meets with the family and child at the beginning of the semester session to create an individualized set of activities and goals. The instructors will also adapt their teaching to match the pace and needs of each individual participant. 

The organization uses a modified Red Cross Learn to Swim curriculum. In addition to swimming concepts, Project SWIM works to foster the social interactions and the team building skills that are invaluable to each participant.

As the folks at Project SWIM like to say: instant swimmer, just add water.

If you would like to become involved in the program as an instructor or as a family, please contact Linda Xia at fdxia@college.harvard.edu