Nampa families will have a chance to learn life-saving water safety skills this weekend, as the city hosts a free educational event at Lakeview Water Park on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event comes just as summer temperatures climb across the Treasure Valley and Canyon County children wrap up the school year — a time when water-related accidents historically increase.
Why Water Safety Matters in Idaho
The timing of the event reflects a serious public health concern. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning ranks as the second-leading cause of unintentional injury death among children between the ages of 5 and 14. For children under the age of 5, drowning claims more young lives than any other cause of death. Nationwide, a drowning death occurs roughly every ten minutes, according to the YMCA.
Idaho’s numbers are particularly sobering. Jessica Vanderpool, aquatic supervisor at the Harward Recreation Center, noted in a city news release that Idaho’s drowning rate exceeds the national average. “The city of Nampa is dedicated to education on water safety,” Vanderpool said in the release. “We are excited to partner with some amazing organizations to bring you an event focused on teaching kids and parents how to be safe in, on and around the water.”
May is recognized as Water Safety Awareness Month, making the event a timely kickoff to the summer recreation season for Nampa and the broader Canyon County community.
What Families Can Expect at the Event
The free event will be held at Lakeview Water Park, located at 1304 7th St. N. in Nampa. Children who attend will receive a game board that requires stamps from each activity station. Once a child collects all the stamps, they earn a free day-pass entry to either Lakeview Water Park or Lincoln Pool — a meaningful reward, given that standard admission typically ranges from $2 for young children to $4.50 for adults.
Multiple stations will cover a range of water safety topics and skills, including:
- How to call 911 and perform hands-only CPR, led by Canyon County Paramedics
- In-water rescue skills, taught by Nampa Parks & Recreation swim instructors
- The importance of never swimming alone, with an emphasis on how trained lifeguards monitor swimmers and respond in emergencies
- Avoiding breath-holding games, which can cause loss of consciousness and drowning
- The “reach, throw, don’t go” rule — a method endorsed by the YMCA that allows bystanders to assist a struggling swimmer without putting themselves at risk
- Entering the water feet first and understanding safe entry and exit procedures
- Staying within designated swim areas, whether in a pool, lake, or other body of water
With Lake Lowell open for boating and other Treasure Valley waterways drawing increasing traffic this time of year, knowing how to respond in an emergency could be the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
Other Water Recreation Options in Nampa
Beyond Lakeview Water Park and Lincoln Pool, Nampa residents can cool off at two free splash pads located at Midway Park and Orah Brandt Park. Both splash pad facilities are open through Labor Day, offering no-cost water play for families throughout Canyon County’s warm summer months.
How to Get Involved
The water safety event at Lakeview Water Park is free and open to the public. No registration information was listed, so families are encouraged to simply show up between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, May 30. For additional details, residents can call 208-268-5858 or visit namparecreation.org.
For more community news from across Canyon County and the state, visit Idaho News.