Date: Sat May 03, 8:00 AM EST - Sun May 04, 6:00 PM EST
Category:
- Outdoor
Level:
- Ambassadors,
- Seniors,
- Volunteers
Safety Activity Checkpoints requires at least one lifeguard for any Girl Scout swimming activity. Through this blended Lifeguard Certification course, you will acquire skills and knowledge to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care until emergency services arrive during these Girl Scout activities and beyond.
PLEASE CONTACT kgoosey@gssef.org FOR RECERTIFICATION.
The following prerequisites must be tested and observed by the lifeguard instructor prior to the training date:
Prerequisite: (Test date at Camp Welaka on 4/26/25)
- 300-yard continuous swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both
- Tread water using legs only for 2 minutes without support or stopping
- Within 1 minute and 40 seconds, swim 20 yards, surface dive to 7 - 10 feet and retrieve a 10lb brick. Return to surface and swim on back to starting point with both hands holding brick and keeping face at the surface. Exit the water without using ladder or steps.
To ensure the prerequisite skills are mastered there will be a swim test at Camp Welaka on April 26th. Further scheduling information will be announced in the training confirmation email specifying the time and duration (tentatively 9:00 am - 5:00 pm). Once the pre-tests are completed, we will begin the coursework on April 26th. If a participant fails the prerequisite swim test, they will be refunded the program cost minus a $75 nonrefundable deposit and will not be able to complete the Lifeguard Certification course on May 3-4, 2025.
The blended course will be online learning for the knowledge portion and then have the in-person skills training at Camp Welaka. The online coursework MUST be completed before attending the pre-test on April 26th. The program fee covers the training as well as meals during the program. Meals included will be lunch and dinner on Saturday as well as breakfast on Sunday. We are able to offer the Lifeguard Certification and meals at this amazing value thanks to an agreement between GSUSA and the American Red Cross.
Trainees will arrive at camp early Saturday morning and train from 9:00 AM through 6:00 PM with a lunch break. To ensure enough time for trainees to fully grasp the concepts and hands-on experience, the training will require extra time on Sunday morning, therefore, the event will provide the option to stay at camp overnight to complete the training Sunday morning. Trainees may choose to commute back and forth from home rather than staying at camp. Please let Kate know this before 4/30/2025 by emailing her at kgoosey@gssef.org. Sunday training will begin at 9:00 AM and finish approximately at 12:00 PM unless more time is required.
Participants will need to provide a valid email address to create their online training account for the Lifeguard Certification. Girl participants will need to provide their individual email for this purpose.
All participants should bring with them a refillable water bottle, towel, bathing suit, sunscreen, and any course materials designated by the lifeguard instructor. An overnight bag with toiletries, change of clothes, sleepwear as well as sleeping bag/bedroll and pillow will be necessary for those participants who choose to stay the night at camp.
All participants must wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes with socks when anywhere on the camp property other than inside the pool area or inside the shower. This includes walking to or from the unit and parking lot. Participants must also wear clothing over their swimsuit when traveling around camp.
Questions? Please contact customercare@gssef.org.
