The North Thompson Recreation Society say they were pleased to work once again with the Kershaw and Feller Families to provide swim lessons in the community. This summer, instructor Hannah Feller offered three separate sessions for families to choose from July 24 through Aug. 25. Participation was strong this year, with 110 children registered in the Red Cross learn to swim and water safety program. Education about water safety is the key to preventing injury and saving lives, and the Red Cross provides the guidelines and supports to host this popular program in rural BC. In addition a generous grant received specifically for this summer program from the Barriere Emergency Services(BES) last winter was much appreciated and helped to subsidize the cost to families and expenses for the program. Hannah Feller along with helper Tyson Schilling provided weeks of learning and water fun for children and youth of all ages. Hannah offered classes for parent and tots through the swim kids levels and up to private lessons with teens, all despite the extreme heat and the smoke filled skies. Winners of the draw prizes were the Farrow and Schmid families. The North Thompson Recreation Society has been facilitating this program for a number of years and is grateful to the North Thompson Volunteer and Information Centre for their assistance with registration, the pool owners for sharing their beautiful pools and the extra care and pool maintenance, Instructor Hannah for finding time in her extremely busy summer and for her patience with so many excited and some reluctant children, Barriere Emergency Services for the much needed grant, and to Quality Contractors for ensuring the portable toilets were in place so the program could run without issue again this summer. The efforts of so many volunteers and organizations help make it possible to have a successful swim program in our own community. The Recreation Society is grateful for the opportunity to work with all of these great people to facilitate the fun and education of our youth. If you would like more information about the North Thompson Recreation Society and its programs, call Tammy McDonald at 250-672-0121 or 250-319-4301.