Junior Lifeguard Program

Welcome

The Volusia County Junior Lifeguard Program was started in 1990 as a springboard for education in water safety, lifesaving techniques and beach ecology. We are dedicated to providing our participants with the best instruction possible so that one day they can be confident and efficient lifeguards. Our Junior Lifeguard instructors are professionals in the areas of beach lifeguarding, ocean safety and related activities. Tryouts and camps are held each summer. To participate, youths must be between 9 and 15 and pass tryouts. Selected youths can then attend the junior lifeguard camps held weekly beginning in June. Please enjoy our site and remember to always swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower! For more information, contact us at jrlifeguard@volusia.org.

• Jr Lifeguard videos
• Camp Online Registration - must pass tryouts before registering in the program

Junior Lifeguard Eligibility

To be eligible to register and participate in the Junior Lifeguard Program, participants must be 9 to 15 years old, and pass the swimming requirements. Requirements include:

• Swim 100 yards in no more than 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
• Tread water for 5 minutes.
• Swim underwater for 10 feet.

The Junior Lifeguard Program is not a “learn to swim” program. Swimming skills are a must! Tryout dates and locations are listed below. A Junior Lifeguard Instructor will be at every tryout if you have further questions about the camp. Returning Junior Lifeguards do NOT need to attend a tryout.

2024 Tryouts and locations - ADDITIONAL DATES ADDED BELOW!

• Saturday March 2 - Ormond YMCA 9-1 PM 
• Saturday March 9 - Port Orange YMCA 9-1 PM
• Saturday March 16 - Ormond YMCA 9-1 PM
• Saturday March 23 - Port Orange YMCA 9-1 PM
• Saturday May 18 - Ormond YMCA 9-1 PM
• Saturday May 25 - Port Orange YMCA 9-1 PM
• Saturday June 1 - Edgewater YMCA 9-1 PM

2024 Camps and locations (Drop at 8 am / Class 9 am - 2 pm)

• Week 1 (June 10-14) - Andy Romano Park, Ormond Beach
• Week 2 (June 17-21) - Flagler Ave, New Smyrna Beach
• Week 3 (June 24-28) - Winterhaven Park, Ponce Inlet
• Week 4 (July 8-12) - 5000 S. Atlantic Ave, Ponce Inlet *COMPETITION TRAINING WEEK*
• Week 5 (July 15-19) - Andy Romano Park, Ormond Beach
• Week 6 (July 22-26) - Flagler Ave, New Smyrna Beach
• Week 7 (July 29-August 2) - Winterhaven Park, Ponce Inlet
  
  * Competition Training Week ONLY During Week 4 *
   

Camp Registration

Registration will be online and will open April 1st, 2024. Cost per camp is $200.  Payments must be made by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express). New Junior Lifeguards must pass tryouts before registering in the program. Please note, in order to be refunded, any cancellation requests will need to be submitted to the Junior Coordinator at jrlifeguard@volusia.org at least one week prior to the camp start date.

2024 Uniform and Gear Pickup

All campers must be registered prior to picking up gear.  Additionally, new Juniors must pass water skills tests at the above listed dates/locations. Junior Lifeguard staff will be available at Beach Headquarters at 515 S Atlantic Ave,  Daytona Beach in the month of May, Mon-Thurs, 11 am - 1 pm, and on the following Saturdays from 10 am - 3 pm for uniform/gear distribution:

• Saturday, May 4
• Saturday, May 11
• Saturday, May 18
• Saturday, May 25

Daily Activities

Our staff takes great care in planning for each day’s activities to ensure that all of our participants enjoy their junior lifeguard experience to the greatest extent possible. Many factors are taken into consideration such as ocean conditions and the skill level and interests of the participants.  We provide a variety of activities each day to keep our program exciting!

On the first day participants are assigned to the A, B, or C group according to their age (based on their age the first day of camp).

• A Group: 13 to 15 years old
• B Group: 11 to 12 years old
• C Group: 9 to 10 years old

Daily activities include:

Health and physical fitness

• Stretching and aerobic exercises
• Skin cancer prevention/Sun protection

First-aid

• Training in CPR and first aid
• Treatment and protection of C-Spine (neck injuries)

Rescue Techniques

• Preventive lifeguarding skills
• Identification of ocean conditions
• Rescue paddleboard training
• Distressed swimmers
• Mock ocean rescues

Educational Activities

• Oceanography and marine biology
• Environmental impacts and issues

Recreational Activities

• Basic paddling instruction
• Free-swim periods
• Beach games and competitions

Items participants should bring

• Snacks, lunch and drinks (please put participant’s name on all items including coolers). Note: meals, snacks and drinks are not provided.  
• Wear sunscreen and suit
• Junior Lifeguard bag
• Towel
   

Drop-off and Pickup Locations

In order to ensure the safety of all participants we have designated specific locations for parents to drop-off and pickup their children. Our staff will meet them here and escort them to the program location. Drop-off and pickup are also the best times for parents to meet with our staff to ask questions or to provide us with any information concerning their participants.
 

Beach Scouts Are Back!!

This group consists of vetern Junior Lifeguards who function as assistant instructors.  Positions are limited.  To qualify for the program, candidates must swim 100 yards in 1 minute 45 seconds, write a 500-word essay explaining why they should be selected for the program and must have attended at least 1 Junior Lifeguard tryout and 3 previous camps.  Scouts must be 13-15 years of age at the time of camp.  Beach Scouts can earn community service hours toward a Bright Futures scholarship; they must provide the Volusia County form for their hours and are responsible for making sure their hours are accurate and signed off by the program coordinator.  Please email your information and essay to jrlifeguard@volusia.org no later than March 22, 2024.

*Competition Camp (July 8-12)

The Volusia County Junior Lifeguard Program sends a group of Junior Lifeguards to the USLA Southeast Regional Junior Lifeguard Competition each year. This camp will be designed to train these campers for that competition. Our Lifeguard Competition Team Members will instruct these campers in the art of Surf Lifesaving Competition. Swimming, paddleboarding, running, and beach flags will become second nature by the end of this training camp. The Juniors Regional Competition will be held in Daytona Beach!  For more information please visit this link:  United States Lifesaving Association (usla.org)