Hundreds Of Kids In Camden Take Part In Water Safety Program

By Justin Udo 

CAMDEN N.J. (CBS) -- A water safety program in Camden is helping more than 200 kids stay stay afloat this summer.

In 2008, Karen Cohn's six-year-old son Zachary drowned after getting caught in the suction of a swimming pool drain.

That motivated her and her husband to start the ZAC Foundation.

"To educate children and families about water safety," Cohn said.

The organization just finished up a five-day program in Camden, where among other things they had swimming classes for kids ages five through nine.

"We firmly believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn how to swim," said Cohn.

Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines works with the ZAC Foundation teaching some of those swimming courses.

He said it's scary how many kids around the country do not know how to swim.

"Sixty percent of African Americans don't know how to swim. Fifty percent of Hispanic swimmers don't, and forty percent of Caucasians don't know how to swim," Gaines said. After completing the program the kids received water safety children books.