A: There are two ways to get started:

1. 1. You can select any provider that you want, register and pay for your lessons, and send your receipt to Outdoor Afro to apply for a Making Waves Swim Scholarship to cover some or all of your costs. If the provided information and receipt are valid, you could receive up to $200.00 toward the cost of yours or your child’s lessons. Please note, you can only request up to $200/swim participant for introductory-beginner swim lessons, or up to $400 per family. Please be sure to review all of the details on the request form. Apply for a Swim Scholarship exclusively through the Outdoor Afro app! 
   2. If you are in an area where one of our swim provider vendors is, you can sign up for lessons through our provider (if space is available). Please visit their websites and contact them directly to learn more about availability and registration requirements. All of our current swim vendors are listed on our Making Waves landing page at outdoorafro.org. 

A: The Making Waves Program centers and prioritizes Black children and their caregivers, although Swim Scholarships are open to all children and adults. Our aim is to remove barriers of access to introductory-beginner swim lessons and to ensure this life-saving skill. Please scroll up and read more about the program. Adults and children qualify.

A: You must be 18+ to submit a Swim Scholarship Application or a Swim Vendor Partner Application. All additional details about reimbursement can be found on the application forms. If you are under 18, your parents or guardian should submit the application.

A: Outdoor Afro partners with swim providers nationwide to fund water safety and beginner swim lessons. At the top of this page is a list of our trusted partners—but if there isn’t one near you, feel free to choose your preferred local swim school!

Please note that Making Waves Swim Scholarships are only applicable to a single series of introductory or beginner swim lessons. Swim Scholarships cannot be used to cover the cost of intermediate or advanced swim lessons.  

A: Outdoor Afro aspires to reach as many Black children and families as we can in every community in America. To do this, we need great swim vendor partners. If you’re interested and mission-aligned, please submit your request to become a swim vendor partner with Making Waves through this application form. If your application is approved, Outdoor Afro will follow up with you to complete the process. Please review terms and conditions on the application form prior to submission.

A: Upon approval of your Swim Vendor Application, Outdoor Afro will inform you of the initial Swim Scholarship award. 

*Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee a specific number of Swim Scholarships (vendor or individual) in any given year. Swim Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis based on approved applications.