Annie Stoverink, swimming instructor, shows Kaleb Williams how to use a floating device to get him used to floating in water.

The Jackson swimming program keeps growing and growing with each passing year. Last year the program had 1,100 children enrolled to learn how to swim, and midway through 1998, already 1,000 children from Cape Girardeau and east Perry counties have entered the program.

The pool staff is teaching children and adults valuable swimming lessons that could save their life.

The program was originally designed for citizens of Jackson. However, the program has recently attracted community groups from Perry County and Cape Girardeau.

"We try to build our pool around our programs. If we can get them in to learn how to swim then when we hold recreational swimming people will use our facilities," Brett Blackman, assistant manager at the Jackson Municipal Pool, said.

There are four sessions for levels 1-6 that last two weeks long. The program is just beginning the third session of the summer which will last until July 17.

The fourth and final basic, waterbabies and toddler sessions begin July 20 and last until July 31. An advanced adult swim class began July 6 and will run until July 29 from 7-7:45 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday.

The basic classes are held between 9 a.m. and noon Monday through Thursday. Session three for the waterbabies class is held from 6-6:30 p.m. for children 6-18 months.

Toddler sessions are held Monday through Thursday from 5:30-6 p.m. and from 6:30-7 p.m. This is for children between 18 and 36 months.

The popular aqua fitness class is held Tuesday and Thursday from 7-8 p.m.

Blackman said a new program called junior guards was implemented to attract more lifeguards in the future. The program teaches 12 to 14 year-olds lifeguard training and they get to volunteer to help during the swimming lessons. They also shadow lifeguards at the pool.

The training is provided by the 21 lifeguard/water safety instructors employed by the pool.

"I feel that swimming lessons in Jackson are still the cheapest thing you can do in Jackson."

These programs require registration, to register call the pool at 243-8343.