Apply for scholarships

Scholarship Program

The Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District offers the Faith Callahan Scholarship Program to help low-income families participate in Mount Rainier Pool programs, including admissions, swim lessons, and water exercise classes.
To apply, complete a Scholarship Application See below for more information.
Effective November 11, 2025:

  • Applicants must reside in Des Moines or Normandy Park.
  • Approved scholarships cover 90% of program fees, with the participant responsible for the remaining 10% at registration.
  • Scholarship term will be December 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. The Next Scholarship term will begin on September 1, 2026.
  • Households can apply for up to $1,000 per scholarship term. See renewal section below for more information.
  • Scholarship credits will be applied directly to your CivicRec account for easy use.

Note: Receiving a scholarship does not guarantee a spot in a class or program.

Application Process: Start Here!

Scholarships Availability

For 2026, the Mount Rainier Pool has over $10,000 in scholarship funds available. Scholarships are open to residents of Des Moines and Normandy Park and cover 90% of the fees. They cover swim lessons, 10-visit, 3-month, and annual passes (individual and family), and water exercise (now included in all passes).

All scholarships for swim lessons and other programs must be pre-approved. All swim lesson scholarships must be applied by the following deadlines.

 

Swim Lesson Schedule Scholarship Deadline*
Winter 2026 Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Early Spring 2026 Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Early Spring 2026 Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Summer 2026 Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Fall 2026 Information Coming Soon

For 10-visit, 3-month, and annual passes, there are no deadlines; please allow five business days for processing.

All scholarships are based on available funds. Households are limited to $1,000 per year. See the renewal process below for more information.

Application Process

Overall:

  1. Apply online or in person.
    Provide proof of residency and proof of need.
  2. Complete application.
  3. Staff will email you within five (5) business days if you received the scholarship.
  4. If you receive a scholarship, it will be applied to your swim lessons account, or your 10-visit, 3-month, or annual pass will be applied to your account.

Step 1: There are two options to apply: online or in person.

Online (FOLDER)

Now you can apply online with secure document downloads. Click here * to visit our application portal. The process takes around five minutes, and you can also use your phone and camera to create images of your supporting documents. (*Note: Registration for the online scholarship will not appear until Saturday, November 15.)

In Person (FOLDER)

The scholarship application form is also available for those who need to print and submit physical copies of their supporting documents. Scholarships are available at the Mount Rainier Pool’s front desk or on the pool’s website. Download the scholarship form.

Step 2: Provide Required Documentation

Please complete the two steps of the application process to be eligible:

  • Step 1: Proof of Residency (Scholarships are now resident-only.)
    • Mail with your home address on the envelope.
  • Step 2: Proof of Need of Assistance (See options on physical scholarship form)
    • Utility Discount Program
    • Social Security Benefits Documentation
    • Public Assistance Programs
    • Stated Income (add attachment)
  • Step 3: Turn-in Application
    • Online registration: After completing the online application, you will receive an email confirmation from the system.
    • In-person registration: Staff will email you to confirm receipt of your application.

For both processes, staff will contact you within five (5) business days of your application.

Scholarship Renewal

Households can apply for up to $1,000 per scholarship term (September 1-August 31) each year. If you would like to extend your scholarship to the next swim lesson session or extend your pass, please complete the following steps.
Online: Please complete the renewal

About the Program

Goal of the Program

The goal of this program is to remove financial barriers for members of our community. We value community and inclusiveness for ALL members of our community. Our mission is to enhance our community’s quality of life through aquatics. Scholarships help us ensure everyone has access to our programs.

Scholarship Programs

Scholarships can be applied to swim lessons, water exercise, swim memberships/passes, and other special programs.

Other Free/Reduced Program Opportunities

The District prides itself on providing opportunities for community members to use the Mount Rainier Pool and swimming, including but not limited to.

Why Swimming is Important to the District?

Swimming is an essential life skill, and the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District Board of Commissioners strives to ensure lessons are accessible to all, regardless of economic status.

In addition to developing a skill that provides access to a lifelong means of remaining physically fit, recent studies show that children who have taken formal swim lessons have achieved learning milestones as much as 20 months ahead of their non-swimming peers.

Who Was Faith Callahan?

Our scholarship program is named for Faith Callahan, who swam regularly at Mount Rainier Pool for more than 30 years and maintained her mobility past her 106th birthday.  When the pool was threatened with closure in 2009, she eagerly joined the campaign to preserve this healthy living asset for future generations.

She believed in the benefits of water-based exercise and as a former schoolteacher recognized that children who swim not only have an 88 percent less chance of drowning, but they also have access to a greater array of recreational and career opportunities.

To honor Faith’s commitment to our community pool and to water-based exercise, we named the scholarship program after her.

You Can Help – Donate Today!

Be A Hero! Your donation will help members of our community learn a skill that could save their lives. Please use the buttons below to donate. If you would like to donate more, please use the quantity button. Please call us at 206.824.4722 or email Emmitt.Sevores@DesMoinesPool.org for more information.

Tax Deductions: As a municipal corporation, the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District is a tax-exempt organization under Section 170(c) of the IRS code, and donations may qualify for a federal income tax contribution deduction under Code § 170(c)(1).