INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Rotary Clubs of Indian River County have joined together to present to all thirteen public school kindergarten classes with the water safety program known as ‘Josh – The Baby Otter’. The main objective of this program is to prevent drowning tragedies through early childhood education and the promotion of water safety and float/swim classes. Throughout February and March the Josh the Baby Otter book is being read to the five-year-olds, and a Josh coloring book, a copy of the book and sing-a-long CD will be sent home with each child.
After the reading session, each child wears home a sticker which reads, “We read Josh the Baby Otter today”! Hopefully parents will use these tools to encourage water safety with the pre-school children in their family as well.
The classrooms fill with squeals of delight when a fully costumed “Josh” joins in saying the Water Safety Pledge with the children.
Josh the Otter Water Safety Pledge:
I promise to be a good son or daughter,
I promise to get an adult when I go near the water,
This will keep me safe like Josh the baby otter.
Josh the Baby Otter will make appearances to the public in conjunction with the Recreation departments of both the city of Vero Beach and Indian River county.
Join Josh at two “Splash into Summer” events, promoting swim class registrations.
Splash into Summer will be at Leisure Square in Vero Beach on Saturday, April 9 from noon to 2 pm and at North County Aquatic Center in Sebastian on Saturday, May 21 from 8 to 11 am.
If you would like to help support local children, The Rotary clubs are accepting donations for swim class scholarships on behalf of the “Josh the Baby Otter” water safety program.
For additional information, call Rotarian, Susan Smith, at 772-234-6626 or visit www.joshtheotter.org .
