Did you know African Americans are 1.5 times more likely to die from drowning than Whites? Did you know despite improvements in diversity efforts, African Americans still comprise less than 5% of competitive swimmers?

Legendary Marathon swimmer William “Bill” Shipp stepped up this year to raise funding, to ensure that Prince George’s County minorities learn how to swim and the barriers to competitive swimming are reduced.

A triple crown-winning swimmer, Bill has completed numerous open water swims. As a resident of Prince George’s County and advocate of competitive swimming for all, Mr. Shipp decided to dedicate his June 16th 20-mile DC Marathon Swim in the Potomac, from the Key Bridge to Mt. Vernon, to raising funds to support the Aquatics for All swim programs within the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County.

Learn more about Bill Shipp.

2023 Summer Swim Camp Scholarship

Interested in learning how to swim and attend Summer Camp with us? The Aquatics For All Summer Swim Camp Scholarship will cover the cost of a designated swim camp session at one of our facilities for selected contest winners (this scholarship does not cover before or after care).

This is a one-time scholarship for Prince George’s county residents to increase access to swim camps and is available for first-time swim camp participants only.  Applicants must complete the Aquatics For All Swim Camp Scholarship Application including completing an illustration for a Swim Camp (ages 6-12) or an essay for Junior Lifeguarding Camp (ages 11-14) by the designated deadline (May 5, 2023).

Applicants ages 6-12 interested in the camps listed below must submit with their application a drawing illustrating “Why they want to learn to swim and attend camp”.  With the picture, please include 1-2 sentences describing the illustration.  During the application process, you will be able to select your top 2 choices of the camps listed below to attend if selected as a scholarship recipient. 

• Dunk’n Dive Sports Camp at Allentown Splash, Tennis & Fitness Park 
  • July 24 – August 4, 2023
• Dunk’n Dive Sports Camp at Allentown Splash, Tennis & Fitness Park
  •  August 7 – August 18, 2023
• Swim and Fitness Camp at Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex
  • July 24 – August 4, 2023
• Swim Camp at Ellen E. Linson Splash Park
  • July 10 – 21, 2023

Applicants aged 11 to 14 interested in the Junior Lifeguard Camp must submit with their application an essay answering “Why they are interested in being a Lifeguard” (250 words or less)

• Junior Lifeguard Camp at Allentown Splash, Tennis & Fitness Park (Ages 11-14 Only) Essay Required
  • June 26 – 30, 2023

Eligibility

• Must be a Prince George’s County Resident
• Must be a first-time swim camp participant for swim camp scholarship (not including Junior Lifeguard Camp)
• Scholarship is only available for camps and sessions listed on the application
• Must be at least 6 years old at the start of camp and no older than 12 by the end of the camp session for Swim Camps
• Must be at least 11 years old at the start of camp and no older than 14 by the end of the camp session for Junior Lifeguard Camp
  
  

Swim Team Scholarship

This scholarship is geared toward improving the accessibility of competitive swim for African American and Hispanic/Latino swimmers.

This is a one-year need based scholarship to assist swimmers with team fees for Prince George’s Parks & Recreation (PGPR) Sharks swim team and is not guaranteed each year. Once completed applications are submitted, they will be reviewed, scholarship awards will be determined and families will be contacted regarding application status. All applicants must agree to fulfill all of the scholarship recipient expectations as listed below. This scholarship is available for PGPR Sharks school year and summer swim seasons as funding allows. Applicants must designate season(s) they are applying for when submitting application. This scholarship is not eligible for meet fees and equipment. Those already registered for the 2022-2023 season are still able to apply for this scholarship.

• We are no longer accepting scholarship applications