Dollywood is inviting guests to learn some valuable water safety lessons at Dollywood’s Splash Country that could possibly save a child’s life.
What’s Happening:
- Last summer, tens of thousands of children in the local community near Dollywood missed the opportunity to participate in formal swimming lessons, creating an urgent need for water safety education in 2021. Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1 – 4, and it’s the second leading cause of injury-related death of children 14 and younger. Participation in swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88 percent!
- Dollywood’s Splash Country is committed to helping bridge the gap to prevent drowning. This year, swim instructors and community leaders will come together Thursday, June 17 to provide a free 30-minute lesson in the morning and offer education throughout the day. Area partners LeConte Medical Center, The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation, WVLT Local 8 News and WIVK 107.7 will be joining Splash Country to host the event.
- The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) is a one-day event that happens at pools and water parks around the world. Dollywood’s Splash Country is one of the participating venues, and to build out the event with a greater scope of water awareness, the Smokies’ most-trusted water park created Water Safety Day.
- This year, Dollywood’s Splash Country is partnering with SafeSplash Swim School for the swim lesson. The lesson begins at 10 a.m. at Mountain Waves wave pool. Vendor booths are open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Guests who visit the vendor booths receive a Splash Pass, allowing them to receive a prize at each booth. Once the participants have visited all vendors, they may turn their pass in for the chance to win two season passes to Dollywood’s Splash Country!
- To take advantage of the $25 ticket offer, guests can visit Dollywood.com/watersafety. Water Safety Day and WLSL registration begins Thursday, June 17 at 9 a.m. at Dollywood’s Splash Country. The park opens to guests at 9:30 a.m. To receive a free gift, guests should arrive early to register before the swim lesson begins at 10 a.m. Dollywood’s Splash Country admission is required to participate in Water Safety Day and may be purchased on-site or online at Dollywood.com.
What They’re Saying:
- Jason Boothe, Vice President of Park Operations: “Dollywood’s Splash Country is committed to doing our part to educate and raise awareness about water safety. In fact, we’re offering a $25 ticket and giveaways to incentivize people to join us for the swim lesson at 10 a.m. Research shows that swimming lessons save lives, so we’re inviting the community to join us as we host the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson.”
- LeConte Medical Center President and CAO Gaye Jolly: “LeConte Medical Center is honored to be a part of raising community awareness around water safety. This event is extremely important to the safety of our community and goes a long way to ensure everyone can enjoy swimming and other water activities. We are blessed to have great partners like the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation and Dollywood’s Splash Country for Water Safety Day.”