Water Safety is a huge part of the US Army Corps of Engineers outreach program. Each year, the staff here at the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Project take on water safety initiatives ranging from Public Service Announcements, to school programs, to handing out water safety promotional items around the project and personally reminding park visitors to Wear Their Life Jackets!
SAFE PASSAGE
Our nationally recognized grade-specific Safe Passage program is a complete package that includes lessons, activities, a video and activity books for each child, K-6th grade. The lessons and activities can be accessed by logging onto the National Water Safety Program Website.
The “Safe Passage” video: While visiting their grandparent’s cabin on the lake, Jason and Holly discover a marooned boat containing a mysterious compass that takes them on a magical adventure. In order to get a safe passage home, they must learn the rules of water safety and learn to work together as a team.
BOBBER THE WATER SAFETY DOG
Bobber the Water Safety Dog is a beloved cartoon character with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Bobber has his own website, coloring sheets, cartoons, and games that promote water safety. Visit Bobber’s Homepage to learn more.
THE YOUNG AND THE RECKLESS
The Young and the Reckless is a newer, stand-alone free video for teenagers. Teachers would find this suitable for Middle to High School aged Kids. The video teaches boating safety by comparing driving a boat to driving a car in an entertaining “sitcom” type of a story. You can get “The Young and the Reckless” video from a Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Park Ranger.
RANGER-LED SCHOOL PROGRAMS
There are three different programs broken down by age. All are interactive and entertaining. Contact a Park Ranger for more details or to schedule a program for your group!
- K-2nd Grade: We have a 30-minute program for grades K-2 involving our water safety mascot, “Buddy Beaver”. Kids love hearing the adventures and learning some water safety tips from Buddy Beaver and his friend, the Park Ranger.
- 3rd/4th Grade: We’ve been presenting this tried and true program for a long time and it’s always a hit with 3rd and 4th graders! It’s an interactive and fun 30 minute program that focuses on very basic water safety principles such as “reach, throw, row, and Don’t go”.
- 5th/7th Grade: A 30 minute program for grades 5-7 that takes a more serious look at drowning, but balances that with a fun activity showing what a PFD is and water safety principles such as “ reach, throw, row, and Don’t go”.
WEAR IT RIGHT: CHOOSING AND FITTING A LIFE JACKET
This short video (13 minutes) demonstrates the five points of fitting a life jacket: check the label, check for damage, fasten up, check for proper fit and Wear It!
MASCOT APPEARANCE
Would you like a special visit from Buddy Beaver at your next event? Buddy teaches children and adults about water safety principles and proper wearing of a “PFD”. Kids of all ages love Buddy Beaver. He travels to schools, boat shows, civic groups and safety fairs. Contact a Park Ranger to schedule a visit with this loveable character.
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