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Kenmore reintroduces YMCA swim-lesson vouchers to expand water-safety access
Summary
Kenmore has restarted a YMCA swim-lesson voucher program that provides 50% or 100% subsidies for eligible households following King County fee-assistance guidelines; vouchers are valid for registrations through Dec. 31, 2026.
Amber Clifton, host of the city podcast Let—s Talk Kenmore, opened the episode by asking Marita Colburn, Kenmore—s recreation program supervisor, about a revived swim-lesson voucher program aimed at expanding water access and safety for residents.
Colburn said the city has brought the YMCA swim-lesson voucher program back and that it—s supported by the Kenmore City Council. "The YMCA swim lesson voucher program is one of the things that is totally supported by our Kenmore City Council," she said.
The city is following the King County Parks fee-assistance guidelines to determine eligibility. "Those are going to be based on your monthly income as a household," Colburn said, adding that a household is defined as everyone living at one address and that applicants should consult the online income chart to determine qualification.
Colburn described two voucher levels: either 50% of the group-session fee or 100% of the group-session fee, depending on the household's placement on the fee-assistance chart. She emphasized that vouchers apply only to YMCA group swim lessons and are not valid for swim-team fees or for paying a YMCA membership. "These vouchers are not good for signing up for a swim team," she said.
The vouchers reflect member and nonmember pricing differences and do not require YMCA membership to use. Colburn also said the vouchers are valid for registrations completed through Dec. 31, 2026: "The vouchers are good for the entire year of 2026... you need to have used the voucher in a registration application at the YMCA before 12/31/2026."
Why it matters: swim instruction is a core water-safety measure in a waterfront community, and the subsidy is intended to lower cost barriers for households that meet county fee-assistance thresholds.
How to apply: Colburn directed listeners to the City of Kenmore recreation webpage where an application and a link to the YMCA voucher page are posted. She noted the Greater YMCA of Seattle branches (North Shore and other nearby branches) accept the voucher codes when registering for group lessons.
Next steps and caveats: Colburn said the YMCA offers lessons year-round and that families should consult the YMCA schedule and the city recreation page for available sessions and for details about member vs. nonmember pricing. The city did not provide enrollment caps or the total number of vouchers available in the episode.
