Two kids enjoying a fun day playing and splashing in an outdoor swimming pool after learning how to swim at The Swim Center

WANT TO LEARN TO SWIM?

Swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88%

Lifesaving Swim Lessons for 30 Years

30 years of teaching lifesaving swim lessons in McDonough GA

Our mission is to help everyone learn to swim and feel safe and happy in the water.

Not every family can afford swim lessons. Hope Floats helps make sure every child has the chance to learn how to swim and stay safe in the water. All Swim Center students are treated with the same care and respect. If you would like to support a child in need, you can donate by clicking the Hope Floats button in the lower-right corner of this page.

Families who qualify for help are usually on free or reduced lunch plans. Children in foster care can also receive support.

All donated funds go directly toward swim lessons.

Hope Floats is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. Your donation is tax deductible.

At the end of the day it is not about what you have or what you have done. It is about who you have lifted up and what you have given back. – Denzel Washington

Why Donate to Hope Floats

Save Lives

Drowning is one of the top causes of death for children. Good swim lessons can greatly lower this risk. When you support Hope Floats, you help give kids a life-saving skill.

Help Your Community

Your gift stays close to home. It helps local children learn to swim and feel safe in the water.

Support Growth

Hope Floats is growing across the United States and plans to reach families around the world. Your support helps make this possible.

Lift Up Future Generations

Your donation helps children today and builds a safer, stronger future for many years to come.

How to Donate

1. Choose Your Gift: Pick the amount you want to give. You can make a one-time gift or become a monthly supporter through the Wave Makers program.

2. Complete Your Donation: Enter your information and payment details. Each dollar matters. If you wish to join Wave Makers, check the box for monthly giving.

3. Share With Others: Tell friends and family about Hope Floats. Sharing helps even more children get the help they need.

Thank you for thinking about giving to Hope Floats. Together, we can change lives one swim lesson at a time.

Spread the Word

Please share our mission with friends and family. Every donation helps protect a child from drowning. You can make a real impact by speaking up and helping us raise awareness.

About Hope Floats

Hope Floats partners with trusted swim schools to give scholarships to children living in poverty. We raise money with the support of caring families, local groups, and businesses that want to help their communities. Scholarships and tuition help are given to children who would not be able to afford swim lessons on their own.

Did You Know?

Drowning Facts

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States for children ages 4 and under.
It is the second leading cause of accidental death for children ages 14 and under.
Around the world, the highest drowning rates are in children ages 1 to 4, followed by ages 5 to 9.
Children in low income families face a higher risk of drowning.
In the United States, Black children drown at rates more than five times higher than white children.

Benefits of Swim Lessons

Formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent.

Children who learn to swim early often reach important learning and movement skills sooner.

Research shows that young swimmers are:

20 months ahead in understanding directions
17 months ahead in story recall
10 months ahead in cognitive skills
7 months ahead in fine motor skills

30

Years Serving Henry County

27,259+

Swimmers Taught

470+

Students per Week

226+

5-Star Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What age should my child start swim lessons?

As early as possible. The earlier they start, the safer they are. We start at 4 months.

Did you know drowning is the #1 cause of death for kids ages 1 to 4? It happens fast and it’s silent. But, kids who take swim lessons are 88% less likely to drown.

Q. How long does it take to learn how to swim?

It depends. Each child learns at their own pace.

Think of swim lessons like school. You wouldn’t expect your child to read after one class, right? Swimming is the same. It takes time, practice, and patience.

Some students come with no inhibitions about water and just need skills training. Others may have anxiety putting their face in the water.

We use this general guideline:
more frequent lessons = better skill retention = faster progress

1 lesson per week = 16-18 weeks
2 lessons per week = 12-16 weeks
3 lessons per week = 10-14 weeks (strongly encouraged for kids with pools at home)

Our goal is to lead each student along the path of learning and loving to swim.

Q. How often should I take swim lessons?

The best way to learn is to take swim lessons at least 2 or 3 times every week.

Just like school or sports, kids learn faster when they practice often. If they only practice swimming in the summer, they may forget what they learned.

Want your child to learn fast and stay safe? Stay in lessons all year, not just in summer. Water is around us all the time in pools, bathtubs, lakes, and even during vacations.

Here’s what we recommend:
3 times a week = risk with nearby pool or water
2 times a week = faster progress
1 time a week = maintain skills
Year-round = safest choice

Remember: every lesson builds safety, confidence, and strong swim skills.

More practice = more confidence = more fun!

Q. How many students are in a group lesson?

Group Swim Lessons have a 4-to-1 student to teacher ratio.

Small Group Lessons have a 2-to-1 student to teacher ratio.

Private Swim Lessons offer a 1-to-1 student to teacher ratio.

Q. My child is timid / shy / afraid of the water / has special needs. Can they learn to swim?

Yes, they can.

Some kids are shy. Some are scared. Some need extra help. That’s okay. We work with all kinds of students, including those with special needs, every day.

We go slow, use gentle steps, and we help each student feel safe and proud.

People with special needs can learn to swim and fall in love with it.

The key is patience, kindness, and trust.

You don’t need to wait until your child is “ready.” That’s what lessons are for.

The sooner we start, the safer they become.

Q. What is the best age to start swim lessons?

The best age to start is 4 months.

They won’t learn full strokes, but they can learn how to:
* Be safe in water
* Hold their breath
* Roll onto their back
* Float and call for help

These are water safety skills — and they can save your child’s life.

Start early. Stay consistent. Keep your child safe.

ENROLL NOW