Summer swim program celebrates another successful season
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Craig Bakay
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EMC News Last Friday, the students of the Long and Clear Lakes summer swim program gathered at Mountain Grove Hall to celebrate their achievements and say good-bye to each other. The party was supposed to be outside at the lake but it rained so they moved the festivities indoors.
Craig Bakay, Frontenac EMC
Participants of the Long Lake swim program with instructors Alleris Cronk (24) and Kirsten Hawley (19) and Frog Mascott Mykayla Wilson gathered outside the Mountain Grove Hall for a group photo while celebrating another successful season.
For instructor Alleris Cronk, the party was bittersweet at best. She was happy to be celebrating with her students, some of whom she's had for the nine years she's been teaching the Red Cross program. However, this is her last year as instructor.
"It's sad to hang up the towel," Cronk said. "This has been the best summer job ever.
"You're outside, in the water, you work with kids, and they're country kids so you tend to develop a relationship with the families."
And, she truly believes the program is important.
"It is fun for the kids but with all the lakes and water around this area, it's really important that they know how to swim well."
But importance of the program aside, it's the kids themselves she'll miss most.
"I get a real joy out of it," she said. "The kids are so great, I just love them.
"I've worked with some kids a long time and it's great to see my teachings being used.
"It's really cool to see your students grow and then get their brothers and sisters too."
Cronk's co-instructor, Kirsten Hawley, couldn't agree more.
"It's a really great job," said Hawley, who's been teaching for four years and will likely take over the program when Cronk 'retires.'
"I love swimming so it doesn't really seem like a job to me, but it's the relationship with the kids that makes it really special."
The Red Cross program is administered by Central Frontenac Township through the recreation committees and moves to Sharbot Lake and Eagle Lake for August.
"Next week we start the new program at Sharbot and Eagle Lakes," Cronk said. "So I'll be in the water pretty much every day.
"It's a half-hour daily, Monday through Friday for three weeks and report cards every week."
And then Cronk's towel goes on the shelf.
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