JOIN US IN MAY!

MAY EVENTS

Check out some fun ways to play in May!

• $1 First Saturday Swims: Saturday, May 2, 11:30am-2:30pm
• Current Student, Swim Lesson Registration: Tuesday, May 19. Starts at 4:30pm.
• New Student, Swim Lesson Registration: Thursday, May 21. Residents* Start at 5pm. All Others Start at 6:30pm.
• WIBIT Open Swim: Saturday, March 23, 1-3pm.
• Memorial Day: Monday, May 25. Open regular hours.
  • No School Swim Day (5/25): 11:45am-2:30pm.

Visit our schedule page at www.mtrainierpool.com for more information.

SWIM LESSON SCHOLARSHIPS

Deadline for Late Spring Swim Lessons: Tuesday, May 12.

Applying for swim lesson financial assistance at Mount Rainier Pool has never been easier.
If you live in Des Moines or Normandy Park, our scholarship covers 90% of swim lesson costs — helping ensure every child has access to lifesaving water skills.
 

The new online application:
✔ Takes less than 5 minutes
✔ Can be completed entirely from your phone
✔ Is quick, secure, and easy
✔ Allows photo uploads right from your camera
✔ Can be translated into any language
✔ Start and finish anytime, anywhere

Please allow five business days for processing before registering. Submitting a scholarship does not guarantee a lesson spot. Water safety starts with swim lessons — and getting support has never been this simple.
 

Apply today at:
👉 www.MtRainierPool.com  

COMMUNITY LIFEGUARD PREPAREDNESS CLASS 

Mount Rainier Pool Expands Grant-Funded Aquatic Workforce Pathway through New Community Lifeguard Preparedness Class and Free Lifeguard Certification Programs

DES MOINES, WA — The Mount Rainier Pool, operated by the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District, is expanding its Aquatic Workforce Pathway with its new Community Lifeguard Training Program, providing free, grant-funded training opportunities for youth and young adults while strengthening the regional aquatic workforce.

Both the Community Lifeguard Preparedness Program and American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification programs are fully funded through a King County Parks grant, removing financial barriers to participation and increasing access to lifeguard, swim instructor, and aquatic career pathways.

The Community Lifeguard Preparedness Program is a six-week foundational program designed specifically for non-traditional swimmers—individuals who may not have grown up with consistent access to swim lessons or who do not yet meet lifeguard pre-test requirements. The program emphasizes confidence, safety, and progressive skill development rather than competitive swimming experience.

“This program is about meeting people where they are,” said District General Manager Scott Deschenes. “By removing cost barriers and providing structured, supportive instruction, we are helping young people build the skills and confidence needed to pursue lifeguarding, first-responder and aquatic careers, while also supporting water safety throughout our community.”

Aquatic Workforce Pathway – Program Schedule

Each session runs for six weeks, meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00–4:00 p.m.

Remaining Upcoming Sessions:

• May 19 – June 25

Participants may repeat sessions, pause between sessions, or advance based on readiness. Instruction focuses on swimming endurance, deep-water comfort, treading skills, and foundational water safety knowledge. Participants who meet benchmarks may be recommended to advance into certification-level training.

Additional details on the pathway structure, expectations, and outcomes are outlined in the Community Lifeguard Training Program overview, which accompanies this release.

Free Certification-Level Training Opportunities

In addition to the workforce pathway, Mount Rainier Pool offers free certification-level training, also covered by King County Parks grant funding. Available programs include:

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification
• Lifeguard Recertification
• Swim Instructor Training (WSI)
• Lifeguard Instructor Training (LGI)

Certification courses are scheduled throughout the year and are often aligned with school breaks, including Winter Break, Spring Break, and Summer sessions. Dates and times are dependent on instructor availability and facility schedules.

Information on upcoming certification courses and notification sign-ups is available at:

👉 https://mtrainierpool.com/employment/

Participation in these programs does not require employment with the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District. Graduates are encouraged to seek employment opportunities with local pools, parks and recreation agencies, nonprofits, and waterfront programs throughout South King County and the surrounding region.

By investing in accessible training and workforce development, the Mount Rainier Pool aims to address lifeguard shortages, expand career opportunities for youth and young adults, and enhance water safety for the broader community.

For more information, visit www.mtrainierpool.com or contact Mount Rainier Pool at (206) 824-4722.

MAY  IS COMMUNITY SWIMMING MONTH

This May, we’re celebrating the power of swimming to bring people together. Community swimming isn’t just about time in the water—it’s about connection, wellness, and creating a place where everyone belongs.

Our pool is more than a facility—it’s a gathering space for families, friends, and neighbors of all ages and abilities. From open swim and family swim to water exercise and lessons, these programs help build healthier, stronger, and more connected communities.  

We invite you to join us this month to:

• Spend quality time with family and friends
• Stay active and support your physical and mental health
• Connect with your community in a welcoming, inclusive space

Let’s celebrate the role our pool plays in making our community vibrant, accessible, and connected. We’ll see you at the pool!

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SPRING INTO ART CONCERT "WHIRLING WINDS QUINTET"

The Arts Commission presents Spring into Art!
The Whirling Winds Quintet Performance

As part of this year’s Spring Into Art program, the Normandy Park Arts Commission presents The Whirling Winds, a scintillating woodwind quintet composed of five top musicians from Seattle. The free concert is at 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, in the beautiful, intimate chapel at John Knox Presbyterian.
The musicians of Whirling Winds have been performing together for more than 15 years all over the Northwest, from Bellingham to Portland, Ore. They were recently featured on the Nordic Heritage Museum’s chamber music series.
The concert in Normandy Park features one of the first pieces ever written for woodwind quintet, Franz Danzi’s “Quintet in Db Major.” The program also includes selections from the group’s recent “Taste of Sweden” performance in Seattle.