About us!

The GPCF Water Safety Program is the signature program of the Mission Valley Aquatic and Fitness Center. Drowning is the leading cause of death in the United States for children under the age of 14. This program will provide free swimming and water safety classes to every 2nd and 3rd grade student in the Mission Valley in order to provide our youth with skills to reduce the risk of death from drowning, as well as to give them the opportunity to learn about the benefits of regular exercise in the form of the lifelong skill of swimming. The GPCF Water Safety Program started as a 4 year pilot project in 2018 funded by a challenge grant issued by the Greater Polson Community Foundation. The GPCF as well as other generous donors from the community have ensured the ongoing success of the Linderman School 2nd and 3rd grade swim program. Polson Rotary has donated funds to provide year-long swim passes for every 3rd grader that completes the swim lessons. The Polson School District has fully embraced this program by making it a part of the curriculum, communicating with parents, and providing transportation and supervision.  Funding is now being sought to provide a swim program for other valley schools. The goal of the GPCF Water Safety Program is that every child in our area has the opportunity to learn how to be safe in and around water, creating a significant impact on health and safety in our community. Any child must be accompanied by an adult, over the age of 18, at all times.