Camps, Schools to Get Low Cost Child/Teen Life Jackets

Non-profit summer camps, schools, or local non-profit organizations providing on-the-water programs for kids have a strong need for safety, and having right-sized life jackets for kids is key. Now, the BoatUS Foundation’s Kids Afloat Program is offering kid/teen-sized, vest-style life jackets for just $5 each. However, supplies are limited and groups need to apply online at www.BoatUS.org/Kids-Afloat by Friday, February 28, 2014. The Foundation will then choose those applications that best match program guidelines and post them to the Foundation’s website and Facebook page for public voting in the spring. Those with the most votes will have the opportunity to purchase the deeply discounted life jackets.

Said BoatUS Foundation Outreach Manager Alanna Keating, “We hope that by involving the public in selecting the sites that receive the jackets, it will help promote these programs in their own communities.”

The life jackets are Type-II and Type-III vests – the most comfortable non-inflating type available today that normally retail for about $30 each. Applicants are allowed to request up to a total of 50 life jackets in infant, child, youth and teen sizes.

The Kids Afloat program is for groups currently offering on-the-water programming, such as educational boat trips, fishing trips or canoe and kayak excursions that include safe and clean boating in their curriculum. However, groups that don’t currently include safe and clean boating education may also apply if they commit to add these topics to their program.

For more information, go to www.BoatUS.org/Kids-Afloat.