Down the Slide!

On Friday during swimming lessons at camp Ben earned his "green band" -- that is, a green wrist band that allows him access to all areas of the pool including the diving well. They have "free swim" every day in addition to swimming lessons, and Ben has wanted this green band very badly because without it, you can't go down the new slide (which empties into the diving well). When his swimming ability was first tested when camp started, he got a red band, which meant he was only allowed in the shallow part of the pool. To get a yellow band, the swimmer must be able to swim half a lap freestyle and half a lap backstroke. To get the green band, the swimmer must be able to swim a lap freestyle and a lap backstroke. Ben, out of sheer determination more than anything else I think, passed the test for his green band on Friday! (Skipping right over yellow). He stopped and treaded water a couple times during his test, which is allowed, as long as you don't touch bottom/sides. We are very proud of him! And so now -- down the slide!