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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2018
Media Relations Contacts:
The ZAC Foundation – Joe Hunter, (435) 901-2254 jhunter@agenda-global.com
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix – Cassidy Campana, (602) 770-6014, ccampana@www.bgcaz.org
The ZAC Foundation Brings Water Safety Camp to Phoenix
National Water Safety Advocates Partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun YMCA to Host ZAC Camp for Parents and Kids
July 17, 2018, Phoenix, AZ — The ZAC Foundation will join with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix to host a four-day water safety camp July 23-26 for Phoenix area children and families.
Founded in 2008 by Karen and Brian Cohn, the ZAC Foundation joins with local organizations each year to sponsor ZAC Camps in cities all across the nation.
The award-winning ZAC Camp brings life-saving water safety skills to local five to nine-year-olds. Nearly 15,000 kids all across the country have participated in the camps in recent years. Combining ‘classroom’ instruction with swimming lessons and opportunities to learn important skills from First Responders, the camp provides children and parents with tools to enjoy the water safely while understanding avoidable risks.
Sponsored in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun YMCA, the ZAC Camp will take place July 23-26 at the Legacy Foundation Chris-Town YMCA, 5517 N. 17 Ave., Phoenix, AZ.
Community leaders, along with representatives from local police and fire departments, will participate alongside professional water safety instructors.
The Camp will kick off at 1 p.m. Monday, July 23, with an opening ceremony featuring local officials, as well as representatives of the Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA. It will continue through Thursday, July 26, with sessions each day from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
The ZAC Foundation was established by Karen and Brian Cohn after the loss of their six-year-old son, Zachary Archer Cohn, who became trapped in a drain in their backyard swimming pool. The Foundation’s advocacy and education efforts have reached thousands of children and their families directly, with millions more reached through social media and news outlets.
In addition to in-pool lessons and safety classes with First Responders, campers will learn the fundamental tenets of water safety from a classroom curriculum based on The Polar Bear Who Couldn’t, Wouldn’t Swim, a children’s book co-authored by Zachary’s parents.
Announcing the Phoenix camp, ZAC Foundation co-founder Karen Cohn said, “Each year, it is tremendously gratifying to see our son Zachary’s legacy live on in the faces and laughter of kids across the country who participate in ZAC Camps. We couldn’t offer this life-saving opportunity without our amazing partners, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix and the YMCA, and we’re excited for what I am confident will be an amazing camp. Nothing is more important than the safety of our kids, and it brings us all great joy to provide kids and their parents with the tools to enjoy the water more safely.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children aged 1-4, and the second leading cause among those aged 5-14. Drowning risk is highest in minority populations, with drowning rates nearly three times that of Caucasian children. Many of these tragic deaths are preventable through proper water safety skills and measures.
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About The ZAC Foundation
The ZAC Foundation was established in 2008 by Karen and Brian Cohn after the loss of their 6-year-old son Zachary Archer Cohn in a pool drain entrapment in their backyard swimming pool. Through education and advocacy, the Foundation has educated more than 10,000 children and their families on the importance of water safety and is dedicated to continue preparing more for a lifetime of water safety. To learn more about The ZAC Foundation, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and TheZACFoundation.com.
About the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Phoenix
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 27,000+ young people in grades K-12. At 12 clubs in Phoenix and the West Valley, BGCMP provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people in four key areas: Fun With a Purpose, Academic Success, Be Great, Do Good, and Healthy Choices. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix empowers young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible members of the community.
