Pool

Huntingdon Valley Swim Club located in Philadelphia has just settled a lawsuit with Creative Steps day camp and 50 of its campers for racial discrimination.  In 2009, Creative Steps paid a member fee to allow the campers and counselors to use the pool for the summer.  When the camp arrived on the first day they were baffled by the racist comments they had heard.  Members of the club had name called and discriminated against the campers, most of whom are minorities.  The Swim Club revoked their membership to the pool and refunded their membership fees.  The U.S. Justice Department involved themselves after Creative Steps Inc. and the parents of the campers filed a lawsuit against the Huntingdon Valley Swim Club.  Shortly after, Valley Swim Club filed for bankruptcy and sold the pool for $1.46 million.  When bankruptcy case is finished the remaining funds will go to the 50 campers and Creative Steps for emotional damage done by the club.

Up to $65,000 of the settlement assets were required to start a leadership council that includes members from the Valley Swim Club, Creative Steps, and the campers that were involved.  I think this is the most positive arrangement that has come out of this lawsuit.  A leadership council is an excellent way to educate those who are so dense as to discriminate against children at a pool club.

It seems that there are a number of racial cases involving children popping up in this country, like the Camden, New Jersey teacher.  As a punishment she forced her hispanic students to eat lunch on the ground.  Children are the backbone of our country, as adults it is our duty to lead by example and to teach the next generation compassion and tolerance.  I think the members of Huntingdon Valley Swim Club should take this advice and learn from their mistakes.