Girl Scouts of Maine Partners with Michael Phelps Foundation to Promote Water Safety and Wellbeing at Summer Camp
July 26, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Helen Ruhlin
(207) 252-9212
hruhlin@gsmaine.org
STATEWIDE–Girl Scouts of Maine (GSME) has teamed up with the Michael Phelps Foundation to offer a hands-on learning program aimed at promoting water safety and physical and mental wellbeing to Girl Scouts attending summer camp this year.
The Michael Phelps Foundation IM Program is being offered to multi-level Girl Scouts attending Camp Pondicherry in Bridgton and Camp Natarswi in Millinocket this summer. The program aims for participants to be comfortable in and around water, advance their swimming skills, set and attain personal goals, and maintain good overall health. Two GSME staff members who completed the required Michael Phelps Foundation regional training will instruct girls at camp in the water safety course.
“We are excited to pilot our IM Program with the Girl Scouts of Maine at a summer camp experience. Through this partnership, more girls will know about water safety as well as positive mental health strategies, nutrition, stress management, and goal setting,” says Marissa Fortier, Managing Director at the Michael Phelps Foundation.
Drowning has unfortunately become a neglected public health issue, particularly amongst children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children between the ages of one and fourteen years old. Research shows that there are two key barriers preventing children learning to swim: fear of the water and lack of parental encouragement.
“I know how challenging times can really impact the mental health of adults, but children are affected by it too and we want to provide them with support to help them understand what they may be experiencing,” says Michael Phelps, Founder and Board President. “Good mental health is just as important as good physical health, and the IM program provides social-emotional, wellness and goal setting lessons that they can utilize. We want to remind everyone of the importance of mental wellness and water safety.”
“Not only are Girl Scouts gaining friendship and memories to last a lifetime at summer camp—they’re augmenting the life skills necessary to living happy, healthy, and safe lives. Water safety is a key component of developing outdoor skills, one of four major Girl Scout program pillars and we are beyond grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Michael Phelps Foundation this summer,” says Treasa Wheeler, GSME Vice President of Camp Program and Properties.
Interested in learning more about GSME summer camps? Check out https://www.girlscoutsofmaine.org/camp. Visit https://michaelphelpsfoundation.org to learn more about the IM Program.
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Photos courtesy of Girl Scouts of Maine
About Michael Phelps Foundation
The Michael Phelps Foundation (MPF) is focused on promoting water safety, healthy living, and the pursuit of dreams, especially for children. Founded in 2008, MPF has provided learn-to-swim, healthy living, and goal-setting programming to more than 250,000 children and young adults around the world through strategic partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club of America, Special Olympics International, and the Level Field Fund. For more information, please visit: http://www.michaelphelpsfoundation.org.
