The Michael Phelps Foundation invites you to show off your artistic talents and help us promote water safety, healthy living (emotional and physical), and the pursuit of dreams. Not only will your Boys & Girls Club be awarded a prize but the Club Member whose artwork is selected will also be awarded a prize by the Michael Phelps Foundation. Below is information to participate but first we would like to share water safety tips for Adults and Children. 

Prizes

• First Place: Club: $5,000 Donation | Member: $500 Under Armour Shopping Credit
• Second Place Club: $2,500 Donation | Member: $250 Under Armour Shopping Credit
• Third Place Club: $1,000 Donation | Member: $100 Under Armour Shopping Credit

ABCS OF WATER SAFETY FOR ADULTS

ADULT SUPERVISION:

• Parents, teach your children to never get in the pool without an adult.
• Put your cell phone away
• Stay engaged with your child
• Never be more than an arms-length away
• If you are at a public pool, make sure there is a certified lifeguard on duty
• Assign a water watcher: determine which adult in your party is in charge of exclusively watching the children in the water. Take turns ! But be aware that it is important to communicate just who the watcher is

BARRIERS:

• All pools should have a barrier around them.
• Make sure the door is closed leading into the pool. You do not want people coming in or out without you knowing it
• If you have a backyard pool be sure to have a secure barrier and check to make sure your drains are compliant with VGB
• Be aware if there are barriers set up at a public pool. Only swim where it is permitted

CLASSES:

• Enroll your children in swim lessons. Look for lessons that teach the children to be comfortable and confident in the water. Swimmers need to understand and “feel” buoyancy and balance to make them safer in the water. This approach helps children to react to new situations that may occur in the water
• Consider taking some swimming classes to brush up on your own swimming skills
• Take a CPR class. CPR is essential in an emergency.

WATER SAFETY FOR CHILDREN

Never swim alone

• Never swim alone
• Be sure to stay with your parents or other adults.
• Be sure to tell your adult that you are going in the water
• Remind your adult to watch you
• Learn what a lifeguard is and where they sit or stand
• Listen to the lifeguard

Know your surroundings

• Know where the lifeguard is
• Know where the shallow end is and where the deep end starts
• Do not run around the pool. The deck gets slippery
• Do not push anyone in the water
• Do not jump or dive in the shallow water
•  Look before you leap. Make sure other swimmers are out of the way before you jump in

Take swimming classes

• Listen to your instructor / follow directions
• Trust your instructor
• Try new things
• Learn to blow bubbles
• Learn to float on your stomach and back
• Learn to kick
• Learn to take a breath when you swim
• Learn to move your arms
• Learn the 1, 2, 3’s of water safety

ART CONTEST DIRECTIONS AND RULES FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUB MEMBERS

To enter, digitally submit any combination of paint, pencil, ink, collage photography, etc that exemplifies our mission (CLICK HERE). Send your artwork to bgcberkshires.org and the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires will submit your artwork to the Michael Phelps Foundation. 

Must include your name, age, and contact information along with a brief description of your artwork. The winning piece will be used on the cover of the 2022 IM Program Guide and PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED.

Submission deadline: June 25, 2021

• Must be a current  Boys & G
• No hard copies of artwork will be accepted
• File submitted must be a high resolution (3MB +)
• Art will be by the MPF team based on originality, artistry, and adherence to the theme.
• Artwork must be original and completed by the BGCA Member and in no way use images that may infringe on other copyright materials.
• MPF has the right to reproduce images of entered artwork at its discretion. Full credit will be given to the artist.

Prizes

First Place: Club: $5,000 Donation | Member: $500 Under Armour Shopping Credit

Second Place Club: $2,500 Donation | Member: $250 Under Armour Shopping Credit

Third Place Club: $1,000 Donation | Member: $100 Under Armour Shopping Credit