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We Come From Mermaids II: African Diaspora and Water (Pool Workshop)

November 19, 2023 @ 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

FITNESS ALIVE CENTER CITY
1425 Arch Street B level
Philadelphia, PA 19102 United States

Led by Chandrika Francis of Oshun Swim School. Bartram’s Garden is partnering with Oshun Swim School this fall to offer a series of workshops related to swimming and water, for Southwest Philadelphia residents.

Who this workshop is for: members of the African diaspora (Complete beginner to intermediate adults, 13+ youth welcome to join with an adult. Please register separately).

Join us for an embodied journey into African diasporic aquatic traditions!  Gain swim skills while learning more about the ways our ancestors engaged with water for resistance and joy during slavery times and the middle passage, and the multitude of rich aquatic traditions in Atlantic African cultures pre-European contact.  Through games, water meditation, songs, and other aquatic activities we will tap into the joy, liberation, resistance, and wisdom that connects us to our ancestors.

This space is geared towards beginner to advanced swimmers (to fully participate you can comfortably move around independently in 4ft deep water, and submerge your body in water at least up to your neck.  If you have fear around entering water, you are still completely welcome to join, and engage to the level of your comfort!)

This workshop will take place at Fitness Alive Center City (1425 Arch Street, B Level, Philadelphia, PA 19102)  The Fitness Alive Central City is a heated indoor full-size pool with a shallow end with steps and a deep end of 6 ft.

*Two additional waivers are required.  Minors must have a parent/guardian’s signature. Please sign the Fitness Alive online waiver and Bartram’s Garden waiver at this time

*COVID-19 Precautions: Class size limited to 15 students.  To increase access, students and instructors are required to be vaccinated OR have a negative COVID test within 24 hours of class time.  More info below on rapid tests! Free COVID rapid tests and two-trip SEPTA passes are available at your first class. Please arrive 15 early if you plan on utilizing a COVID test

**Please note this workshop is a Black affinity space**

I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Birds

Boating & Fishing

Flowers, Plants & Trees

Gardening

History

Kids' Activities

Sankofa Community Farm

Southwest Philadelphia

Water Quality

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Youth Internships

I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Stroll the Schuylkill River Trail or join us for biking!

Birds

Look up! More than 100 species of birds rely on this ecosystem.

Boating & Fishing

Enjoy all that the Tidal Schuylkill River has to offer.

Flowers, Plants & Trees

See what’s blooming, find a favorite tree, and stroll the gardens and natural lands.

Gardening

Bring the Garden home! Shop for plants or grow food, trees, and more.

History

Uncover the interconnected stories of this historic site.

Kids' Activities

Join us year-round to learn, make, share, and wonder.

Sankofa Community Farm

“Go back and get it!” Growing food sovereignty with an African Diaspora focus.

Southwest Philadelphia

Resources and opportunities especially for neighbors in Southwest Philly.

Water Quality

View our latest data on current river conditions.

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Enjoy upcoming workshops, self-care, and events. Are you a Southwest artist? Let’s partner!

Youth Internships

Calling Southwest students: paid internships available with the river, the farm, and the trees.