Olympian Phelps Brings Initiative to Harford

For the second straight year, the youth of Harford County will be given the keys to Michael Phelps' Olympic dominance.

The Michael Phelps Foundation announced Wednesday it is expanding its "im" program to 16 clubs across 14 states this summer. The program implements the principles and techniques that made Michael Phelps, the founder of the organization, a 16-time Olympic medalist.

“I was first introduced to the sport of swimming through water safety,” Phelps, said in a prepared statement. “I hated to get my face wet so I began to learn how to swim on my back, but with proper instruction, I learned to be comfortable and confidant in the water and my passion for swimming grew with each visit to the pool. Now, with the support of the Boys & Girls Clubs and KidsHealth.org, we are able to offer children a program that will help them become water safe, teach them to set and achieve goals, and live healthier, active lifestyles.”

Launched in 2010, the "im" program, named for swimming's individual medley event, includes five areas of focus: imsafe water safety instruction, imfun recreational aquatic activities, imfast structured and organized swimming, imhealthy health and wellness, and imsuccessful goal-setting education.

On average, about 120 children were offered about 180 hours of instruction at six clubs nationwide last year — including clubs in Harford County.  About 75 percent of the participants received swimming instruction for the first time, according to a statement released by the foundation.

The Harford County Boys & Girls Clubs were among the pilot programs in 2010, and are the only clubs in Maryland to join the program this year. Phelps spent part of his childhood as a Harford County resident.

"This program is an exciting partnership between KidsHealth.org, the Michael Phelps Swim School, and Boys & Girls Clubs. The program launched as a pilot program in 2010; Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County was honored to be selected as one of the pilot sites," Jonathan Carter, director of development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County wrote in an email to Patch.