Swim lessons are officially open for registration at the Minden Recreation Center with sessions all summer long for youth and adults.

Minden resident youth get a free week of lessons May 26–30 for first-timers within the city limits.

“We’re also looking for lifeguards to join our team this summer,” according to City of Minden Facebook page.

Apply here https://mindenrec.recdesk.com/Community/Home and be part of keeping the community safe.

Spots are limited, so don’t wait… sign up today and build skills that last a lifetime.

Recent data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that drowning is the fourth leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 0 to 14 in Louisiana.

“Most drownings are preventable, and they can happen quickly and silently,” said LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. “There are important things for adults to do whenever children are in or around water — have a designated adult ‘on duty’ to actively supervise swimmers, keep young children within arm’s reach, and never leave children unattended when in or around water.”

Fifty-five children drowned in Louisiana between 2022 and 2024, according to the LDH Office of Public Health (OPH). More than half (65 percent) were unsupervised, and 42 percent drowned in water unprotected by proper barriers. Most of these instances (58 percent) occurred in swimming pools. Another 54 children were hospitalized due to nonfatal drownings (or near-drownings), which can lead to lifelong disabilities.

“Watching the water is one of the most important jobs a parent has this summer,” said Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Evelyn Griffin. “Even if a child is rescued from drowning, the near-miss can still be very serious and could include permanent damage that affects how a child walks, talks, or learns for the rest of their life.”