Junior Lifeguard Camp

Junior Lifeguard Camp

The Junior Lifeguard Program provides the foundation for lifeguarding and life skills.  The program focuses on 5 key areas:  prevention of aquatic accidents, fitness & swimming skills, response in an emergency, leadership skills, and professionalism as a lifeguard.  This course is designed to guide youths ages 11-14 to the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course.


Program Highlights
  • A defined course with a set lesson plan that includes developing swimming skills and practicing in-water rescues.
  • Certification in first aid, CPR and AED for participants who successfully complete the course during the camp.
  • Certificate of completion for Junior Lifeguarding for participants who successfully complete the course. The certificate does not indicate that the person is trained to be a lifeguard, and there is no validity period.

Course Prerequisites
Before entering Junior Lifeguarding, participants must demonstrate the following skills:
  • Swim the front crawl for 25 yards continuously while breathing to the front or side.
  • Swim the breaststroke for 25 yards using a pull, breathe, kick and glide sequence.
  • Tread water for 1 minute using arms and legs.
  • Show a level of comfort on the back by floating on the back for 30 seconds or swimming on the back for 25 yards using the elementary backstroke or back crawl.
  • Submerge and swim a distance of 10 feet under water.
Programs and Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. Management may issue a partial credit to use at the YMCA of Southern West Virginia.  Program staff will determine whether a full or partial credit will be given based on the date and reason of the request. No credits will be issued after the start date of any program.