Swim instructor Jasmine Lee, center, works with a small group of campers during the Zac Foundation Water Safety Camp at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Fullerton, CA, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fullerton Councilmember Ahmad Zahra was met with cheers from about 100 kids as he proclaimed, “Swim camp is open,” at the start of the Zac Foundation’s Water Safety Camp this week.
The four-day water-focused camp, hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fullerton, started with an opening ceremony that included Julie Lopiccolo telling the story of her 21-month-old son, Jasper St. Clair, who drowned in an unprotected pool 10 years ago.
Swim instructor Andrea Lantz helps Phoenix Coppel ease himself into the water as he practices kicking during the Zac Foundation Water Safety Camp at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Fullerton, CA, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Swim instructor Jasmine Lee helps camper Yash Jethwani learn to float as she works with a small group of swimmers during the Zac Foundation Water Safety Camp at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Fullerton, CA, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Swim instructor Andrea Lantz works with camper Eloise Daut during the Zac Foundation Water Safety Camp at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Fullerton, CA, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Swim instructor Andrea Lantz works with camper Eloise Daut during the Zac Foundation Water Safety Camp at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Fullerton, CA, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Swim instructor Jasmine Lee, center, works with a small group of campers during the Zac Foundation Water Safety Camp at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Fullerton, CA, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Joey Downes teaches a class about swim safety during the Zac Foundation Water Safety Camp at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Fullerton, CA, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Campers attend a first aid and CPR class during the Zac Foundation Water Safety Camp at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Fullerton, CA, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Julie Lopiccolo tells the story of her 21-month-old son, Jasper St. Clair’s drowning during the opening ceremony of the Zac Foundation Water Safety Camp at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Fullerton, CA, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
She urged the 6- to 9-year-old campers to make sure they ask their parents before going swimming and to always ensure someone is watching them in the pool.
The young swimmers rotated through classroom lessons, first aid and CPR lessons and swim lessons in the pool.
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children from ages 1 through 4, and is the second leading cause among children younger than 14, according to the ZAC Foundation.
The ZAC Foundation was established in 2008 by Karen and Brian Cohn after their 6-year-old son, Zachary Archer Cohn, drowned in a drain entrapment in their backyard pool.
