Philip 66 has partnered with the Fort Lupton Recreation Center to offer financial assistance for a swim program designed for families in spite of financial difficulties.
“I’m happy that Philip 66 reached out to us to offer the Swim Safety Scholarship grant program,” said Joisan Skrocki, aquatics coordinator at Fort Lupton Recreation. “Financial constraints make it harder for families with multiple children to afford swimming lessons. Phillips 66 aimed to assist these families in covering the cost of swim classes.”
“Phillips 66, in collaboration with the City of Greeley, started the swim safety program last year. It was wildly successful, so this year we wanted to expand the program to other communities,” said Megan M. Hartman, Phillips 66 Gulf Coast Public Affairs Director.
Fort Lupton and the Town of Windsor, the Thompson Parks and Recreation and the City of Greeley are all participating in the swim safety program, she said.
“The initiative aims to enhance swim safety for local youth. Our hope in providing learn-to-swim scholarships is to ensure the children gain essential swimming skills, water safety knowledge, and confidence around water. The initiative underscores Phillips 66’s commitment to community well-being, safety, and social advancement.”
Drowning scare
Skrocki said she experienced a near-drowning scare when she was 6 years old. The experience inspired her to teach swimming lessons for both children and adults.
“Not having enough swimming experience, I had grabbed onto a rope in the pool to save myself. By the time the lifeguard saw me, the rope had saved me,” Skrocki said.
Skrocki said she needed more swimming lessons after that experience but the small community where she lived did not offer or focus on swimming lessons.
“I started to take the swimming lessons when I was 15, then later I moved to Colorado; I reached out and started working at the Recreation Center in Commerce City,” Skrocki said. “Then I moved to Fort Lupton and started teaching swim lessons during that time here, and I loved it.”
Skrocki said that the Fort Lupton recreation center has offered swim lessons for approximately 20 years, since the pool opened. They took a break during COVID but have been consistent otherwise.
“They’ve had a very strong program. I’ve been here for five years; I started out as a swim instructor, and I’ve worked my way up into the coordinator position,” Skrocki said.
Skrocki said the program has developed significantly, with two or three instructors per session offering two or three hours of swim lessons.
“Now we have four instructors with up to five four-hour swim lessons every session. I love seeing the same kids over and over developing, and parents want their kids to be comfortable in the water, which is their biggest fear,” Skrocki said.
Skrocki said the recreation center also teach adults, giving them private and semi-private lessons. It’s hard to get group classes with adults because they are either embarrassed to do it or not available at that time.
“My oldest was 74 years old, I taught them to swim, and other instructors have taught adults who are 20 or 30 years old. We teach all age ranges. It’s a joy to see them learn quickly and become comfortable,” Skrocki said. “They take their grandkids in the water as soon as they’re comfortable.”
The Phillips 66 Swim Safety program outreach helps parents financially to get their kids into swim lessons. It also assists parents who are homeschooling in bringing their children to swimming lessons. This program could develop future Olympians at some point,” Skrocki said.
Hartman said Phillips 66 has a 50-year partnership with USA Swimming in the communities it serves. Last year, they collaborated directly with the communities where they operate to tailor the swim safety programs to specific needs.
“Each program operates a bit differently, and we partner with municipalities or non-profit organizations with the same goal in mind – drowning prevention and raising awareness for swim safety.”
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