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Officials consider local run of ZAC Foundation water-safety camp after summer pilot
Summary
City and borough leaders discussed a water-safety summer camp run by the ZAC Foundation at the Coast Guard base and considered hosting a similar program locally; organizers estimated the program cost at about $12,500 and the Kingfishers swim club described its role in ongoing swim instruction and pool support.
City and borough officials on Feb. 4 reviewed the ZAC Foundation’s water-safety youth camp and discussed options for hosting a similar program on Kodiak.
The ZAC Foundation piloted a water-safety camp at the Coast Guard base last summer for children ages 5–9; officials said roughly 100 children participated, most from the road system and a handful from villages. Packet materials included a program summary and an estimated program cost of about $12,500 funded by a ZAC grant.
Amy, the staff presenter, said the foundation is willing to share materials and that the city and borough could consider running a similar program using local assets, including the city pool and partnerships with the Coast Guard, Kodiak School District and swim clubs. "It's gonna be something that we can maybe accomplish with an agreement like we have with the school district for our gyms, ball fields, and pool," Amy said.
Alyssa Abbacayre, president of the Kodiak Kingfishers swim club, described the club’s role running competitive meets, providing lessons and maintaining equipment. She said the Kingfishers are USA Swimming certified, run monthly swim meets, and recently received a Matson grant of $17,000 to replace starter blocks; the club contributed about $10,000 of its savings for that purchase. "We provide lessons for levels 3 and 4 ... We work hard as Kingfishers to have those certifications," Abbacayre said, adding the club supports high-school meet operations and volunteer officiating.
Officials said the ZAC Foundation does not intend to run the local camp every year but is willing to assist with setup and training. The mayors and managers agreed staff should explore assets and potential cost-sharing, and return with a proposed plan. The bodies did not commit funding at the Feb. 4 session but expressed support for further work to identify local partners and a timeline.
What happens next: Managers suggested a staff-level meeting among city, borough, school district and Coast Guard representatives to inventory resources and bring a recommendation and cost estimate back to the councils.
