Swimming with Courage This Summer! Taipei Leya Rotary Club Supports Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Overcoming Fear and Gaining Confidence through Aquatic Learning

For many children, learning to swim may simply be a summer recreational activity, but for some children with physical and developmental disabilities, merely stepping into the pool and adapting to the sensation of water can be a significant challenge. The Taipei Leya Rotary Club, part of Rotary International District 3523, continues its commitment to community service by supporting the Slow Intelligence Kids Swimming Summer Camp this year. Through professional guidance and long-term companionship, children begin by making contact with water, practicing floating and kicking, gradually building confidence through repeated attempts, and creating their own record of growth during this summer.

From initial fear of entering the water to eventually attempting new movements, every step requires greater patience and support. According to the Taipei Leya Rotary Club, children with intellectual disabilities learn at different paces compared to typical children. Each stage—from adapting to the pool environment and water sensations, to practicing floating, kicking, and breathing—requires more time, patience, and encouragement. Therefore, the purpose of the summer camp goes beyond teaching swimming techniques; it aims to create a safe and welcoming environment where children can feel understood, accepted, and aware of their own progress.

Through repeated practice, many children have gradually moved from initial tension and anxiety toward willingness to try new actions. For parents, coaches, and volunteers accompanying them, each time a child voluntarily steps into the pool, completes an action, or simply holds a position a few seconds longer than before, represents meaningful growth worth celebrating.

The Slow Intelligence Kids Swimming Summer Camp is one of the key public welfare initiatives continuously promoted by the Taipei Leya Rotary Club. In addition to providing necessary resources for the event, former club president Sunny personally served as a swimming instructor, entering the water to accompany the children, constantly encouraging them, and helping them gradually overcome unfamiliarity and fear of water.

Club members noted that through close companionship, they better understand that each child has a unique learning style and pace. For a child, completing a single kick or float might seem minor, but behind such small breakthroughs lies repeated practice and perseverance. These moments allow members to witness the courage and vitality demonstrated by the children.

Recently, the camp held a graduation ceremony and donation event. Members of the Taipei Leya Rotary Club dressed up as fairy tale characters, joining the children in a fashion show and celebration. The children walked onto the stage to receive applause and recognition, creating a lively atmosphere and offering a different way to present the results of their summer learning journey.

A photo was taken of all participants together after the graduation ceremony, capturing memories of the children's summer learning journey. (Photo provided by Taipei Leya Rotary Club)

For the children, the graduation stage itself represented another challenge. Moving from the pool to the stage required courage. By engaging in role-playing and interactive activities, club members aimed to create a relaxed environment so that children with intellectual disabilities could participate freely and feel seen and affirmed amid the applause.

Rebecca, incoming president of the Taipei Leya Rotary Club for 2026–27, stated that Rotary service is not just about completing a single event, but about sustained companionship. Seeing children move from fear and hesitation to taking progressive steps forward reinforces the importance of long-term engagement with individuals with special needs.

The Taipei Leya Rotary Club emphasized that while a single summer may be short, it could mark the beginning of building courage and self-awareness for these children. Going forward, the club will continue to connect its members and social resources to support children served by the New Taipei City Association for Supporting Children with Intellectual Disabilities, ensuring that public welfare efforts are not one-off events, but rather ongoing companionship during critical times in a child’s life.