An Otterly Important Water Safety Day in Babcock Ranch
September 24th, 2026
Josh the Otter brought the smiles. Local partners brought a lesson worth taking home.
Nearly 50 children and their families gathered at WellWay in Babcock Ranch on Saturday, Sept. 19, for SWFL Water Safety Day. The morning combined water-safety education, drowning prevention and interactive activities designed to help children develop safer habits around water.
Water Safety Day
The Southwest Florida Rotary Club presented the event with WellWay, Nova Southeastern University, Elite Swim Club and the Rotary Club of Fort Myers. Together, they made an important topic approachable for young children and their families.
A furry friend with an important message
Dr. Kanema Clark led a reading of Josh the Otter, followed by an appearance from the character himself. Behind the friendly face was a simple message: children should always have an adult with them around water.
In addition, Coach Emiro Perez, a Southwest Florida Rotary Club member, led a poolside water-safety demonstration. The demonstration introduced children and their families to practical skills and lessons for staying safer around the water.
“Water safety is something every child and every family should have access to,” said Priya Ahluwalia of the Southwest Florida Rotary Club.
Community makes the difference
Behind the scenes, WellWay’s senior club manager, Aaron Pankau, helped coordinate logistics and welcome partners, volunteers and families. Dr. Drew Clark also supported bringing Josh the Otter to life for the event.
Meanwhile, volunteers helped create a welcoming experience, and CRAVE Cookies provided treats for children and families. From the venue to the activities, the morning reflected contributions from businesses, educators and community members working toward a shared purpose.
The event also supports the Rotary club’s broader commitment to childhood water safety and drowning prevention throughout Southwest Florida. Through partnerships and community education, the club seeks to expand access to resources that help children become safer around water.
For families exploring life in Charlotte County, community means more than an address. We love seeing local partners bring their time, talents and resources together with children and families at the center.
