Warmer weather is here, which means it’s Typhoon season again.

Typically, Elizabethton would not need to worry about this type of weather phenomenon, but a cluster of Typhoons are gathering at the Elizabethton High School pool each weekday afternoon.

For the second year, the Elizabethton Typhoon Summer Swim Program is being held to offer children an activity to take part in over the summer.

The swim league was started last year by a group of parents searching for activities for their children to take part in over summer break from school.

“The parents figured out a way to make it happen,” organizer Rebecca Powers said. “The Elizabethton City School system has supported this and has allowed us to use the high school pool.”

Where did the name come from?

“We are ‘Typhoons’ because we are Cyclones over water,” she said.

The program is open to swimmers of all ages, Powers said. The only requirement is swimmers must be able to swim independently, without the use of flotation devices, from one end of a 25-meter pool to the other.

“This is not a learn-to-swim program,” she said. “This is a learn-to-swim-better program”

The Elizabethton Typhoon Swim Program is under the direction of EHS Swim Coach Shane Hathaway, who is assisted by members of the EHS swim team.

The program’s sessions include an organized warm-up of swimming laps and practicing strokes, followed by lessons that cover areas that will help swimmers swim more efficiently and effectively. The participants then will have time to practice those skills followed up with free play until the program is concluded.

“Children don’t have to be able to swim great,” Powers said. “They just have to be able to make it from one end to the other. Last year, there were children who could barely doggy paddle from one end of the pool to the other. They left the program as competent swimmers.”

Powers said the goal of the program was to help swimmers improve their swimming skills so they will safe when participating in water activities. Also, parents would like to see a permanent swim league established in Elizabethton.

New this year are three swim meets in which the Typhoons will compete against three other swim clubs. On June 16, they will swim at Freedom Hall in Johnson City and on June 30 and July 14 at the Blackthorn Club near Jonesborough.

“This is about improving the health and wellness of the community,” she said. “Swimming is a great exercise and the children will be active through the summer.”

The Elizabethton Typhoon Summer Swim Program was not limited to any set age group. The program started Monday, June 1 and will last until the end of July. Sessions are held from 3:30-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The cost is $150 for the first participant in a family, and $50 for each additional person.

For more information, visit the program’s Facebook page by searching for Elizabethton Typhoon Summer Swim Program on the social media site.