Emmaus Aquatic Club Hosts Winter Wonderland Event
Emily Ramsey | Writer
Spring has almost sprung. As the last of the snow melts, and the tree is packed away, winter has finally come to an end. But Emmaus Aquatic Club (EMAC) wants to end the winter season with a bang.
From Feb. 5 to Feb. 11, 2024, EMAC event organizers, Kadence Hanzl, Caitlyn Pope, and Graisyn Schmidt incorporated seasonal activities into EMAC’s Winter Wonderland event, taking place at Steel Fitness Premier in Allentown. Children taking swim lessons with EMAC participated in a variety of activities featuring penguin inflatables, reindeer races, snowballs, and sinking polar bears.
Pope claims activities like reindeer races and snowball jumps were effective in encouraging instructor collaboration.
“It just gives the instructors more eyes on their kids to see how they can improve their skills,” she said.
Hanzl, on the other hand, emphasized how reindeer rides engage swimmers and promote skill building.
“That helps get them the feel of treading and getting used to their weight going up and down in the water, and using their hands and legs in a way to keep them propelled up and keep their heads out,” she said.
Marty Peiffer, EMAC lessons director and Lehigh Valley Outreach Coordinator describes this process as “playing with a purpose.”
“It's called playing with a purpose, so they may not want to jump in the pool, but perhaps with the penguin they would,” she said. “If you wrap up learning and you disguise it as a game, it doesn’t feel like you’re working hard.”
Multiple instructors confirmed that EMAC plans to offer similar events in the future. Furthermore, this event contributes to EMAC’s mission statement, which puts emphasis on community building and engagement.
“We believe that EMAC is a swim network dedicated to fostering remarkable achievement, cultivating engaged citizens, and supporting our community," Peiffer said.
For low income and foster families looking to take swim lessons, EMAC provides such opportunities.
“We offer free lessons to foster families who have open houses,” Peiffer said, “For families who are wanting to fill out a financial application, tuition can be as low as free or up to $75 a month.”
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