Junior Lifeguard Academy – Application Information
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dear Junior Lifeguard...... 2
ImportantDates...... 3
Junior LifeguardAcademySelection Process...... 4
Essay Requirement...... 4
Swim Test andInterview...... 4
InterviewProcess...... 4
Selection Process...... 5
Supervision...... 5
Junior LifeguardVolunteer Requirements...... 6
SupervisionReceivedand Exercised...... 6
Essential Volunteer Duties...... 6
Critical Skills/Expertise Needed...... 6
Junior LifeguardAcademyParticipantRequirements...... 7
Communication...... 7
Reporting foryour Shift...... 7
“Clocking In”...... 7
Appearance...... 7
Punctuality...... 8
Professionalism...... 8
Assignments...... 8
SwimLessons...... 8
Evaluations...... 9
EndoftheSeasonJuniorLifeguard Appreciation Party……...... 9
ClassPool Sample Agenda-Lifeguarding...... 10-11
Session#1-Lifeguarding:...... 10
Session#2-Lifeguarding:...... 11
DearJuniorLifeguard:
Onbehalf of theSmith Family YMCAAquatics Department,wewould like to welcomeyou toourJuniorLifeguardAcademySelectionProcess.We appreciateyour commitment toourcommunityand thedesiretohelpkeepit safe. If chosenas afinalparticipant,wewillprovideyouwith the necessarytrainingandsupport foryou tobecomeasuccessfulmember of our aquatics team as a JuniorLifeguard.
ThispacketincludesanoverviewoftheSmith Family YMCA Junior LifeguardAcademy.Pleasebe suretofamiliarizeyourself withourpolicies and expectations.
OverviewoftheSelectionProcess:
ByFeb 22: / SubmitCommunity Service Application &EssayByFeb 27: / Swim Tests
ByMar 5: / FormalInterviews
ByMar 19: / ChosenParticipantsmustpayregistrationfees.
ByMay 14: / Participants must turn inrequestedVolunteer Schedule.
ByMay 21: / Participants must successfullycompleteall Academyclasses.
ByAug 13: / Participants mustcompletetheminimum20hrs.ofVolunteer Service.
If youhaveanyquestions,pleasedon’t hesitateto contactmebyphone or e-mail.Thank youforyourenthusiasmand wehopethat youenjoyyour experienceasaSmith FamilyYMCAJuniorLifeguardCandidate.
Sincerely,
DANIELLE KROHN
AquaticsDirector
Smith FamilyYMCA
1350 S. Briggs Street
Joliet, IL 60433
(815) 726-3939 ext 417
ImportantDates to Remember
ByFebruary 22,2015Submit completedJuniorLifeguardAcademy CommunityServiceApplicationandEssayto theSmith FamilyYMCA
Thesecanbepicked up atthefront desk or downloadedfrom our websiteat:
ByFebruary 24, 2015
Notification ofcontinuance in the application process, schedule swimtest
ByFebruary 27, 2015
All swim tests must be completed, interviews scheduled
ByMarch 5, 2015
Interviewsmust becompleted
MUSTAttendAll Academy Classes:
Dates: 3/18 – 5/28/2015, Saturdays 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
MUSTAttendAll Academy Classes:
Dates: TBA
Junior Lifeguard Academy – Application Information
Junior LifeguardAcademy SelectionProcess
In order toupholdthehighestoflifeguardingandswimlessonstandardsforour aquatics program participants,wewill belimitingthenumber ofJunior Lifeguard AcademyParticipantsto the10applicantsthat haveshown the highestlevel of commitmentanddedicationtotheJuniorLifeguard Academy,fromtheapplicationthrough selectionprocess.
Essay Requirement
Eachcandidateisrequired toturn inaCommunityService Applicationandaone-page, typed essay as part of the selection process for the Junior Lifeguard Academy.Pleasechoose oneofthefollowingas thetheme ofyour essay:
- RESPECT: HOWITAPPLIESTOBEINGAJUNIORLIFEGUARD
- CARING: HOWITAPPLIESTOBEINGAJUNIORLIFEGUARD
- HONESTY: HOWITAPPLIESTOBEINGAJUNIORLIFEGUARD
- RESPONSIBILITY:HOWITAPPLIESTOBEINGAJUNIOR LIFEGUARD
CommunityServiceApplicationsandEssaysare duebyFebruary 7thatthelatest.Once theapplicationshavebeenreceived bytheAquatics Director,they willbecarefully reviewed for thebestapplicants. Applicantswillbe notifiediftheyhave beenchosenor nottocontinueonto the SwimTest.
SwimTestandInterview
Duringthe second weeksofFebruary,applicantswillbescheduledfor aswim test or they willbee-mailed aletter statingtheyhave notbeenchosen to participateinthis year’s Junior LifeguardAcademy.The SwimTestwillinclude 50Yards(2 lengths) ofFreestyle, Backstroke,BreaststrokeandElementaryBackstroke; Treadingwater for 1 minutewith hands in thewater, Treading water for 1minutewith handsoutofthe water, anddemonstrating a surfacedive5 feetto pickup a10lb. weightfrom the bottomofthepool. Interviewswillbescheduledfor thosethatsuccessfullycompletetheswim test.
InterviewProcess
Interviewswillbescheduledwith allapplicants thatpassthe SwimTest.Applicantswill interview with the Aquatics Director andaSenior Lifeguardor Senior Swim Instructor. Weask thatapplicantscome tointerviews dressedappropriatelyand preparedfor a20-30minuteinterviewprocess.
Junior Lifeguard Academy – Application Information
Final SelectionProcess
After theswim testsandinterviews have beencompleted,thefinal selectionprocess will takeplace and youwillbenotified by e-mail oftheoutcome.Ifyou arechosento participateinthe2015Junior Lifeguard AcademyattheSmith FamilyYMCA,youwill be givenaclass scheduleandregistration fees,which needtobepaidbeforethefirstdayofclass.Iffor anyreason,anapplicantcannot participateinall oftheJunior Lifeguard Academytrainingclasses and20hours ofvolunteer time, pleasenotifyus immediately sowemayofferthis spottoanother qualified candidate.
NOTE: Ifyou arenotchosen thisyearfor theJuniorLifeguard Academy, please donotbediscouraged.Weanticipate the selection process to be highly competitive. We appreciateyou takingthe timetoparticipateintheselection process andencourageyou toapplyagain nextyear.
Supervision
Wewill haveoneor more staffmembersthat will be designatedas a“Junior Lifeguard Mentor.” These individualswillserve as thepoint ofcontactfortheJunior Lifeguardsatthepool.They will schedule,mentor andevaluatetheJuniorLifeguardingactivity.
Junior Lifeguard Academy – Application Information
Junior LifeguardVolunteer Requirements
TheJunior Lifeguard Academyis designedfor youth(10-15year olds) who are interestedinbecominglifeguards,butdonotmeettheminimum agerequirements.This Academy will helpto prepareparticipantstoapplyforandwork asa professional lifeguardoncetheydomeettheagerequirement.They willhelpto protectthelives and wellbeingof eachperson usingthe pool at ourfacility.AllJunior Lifeguard Participants are required tospenda minimum of20hours asavolunteer inour Aquatics Programsoverthecourse ofthesummer.
SupervisionReceivedandExercised
TheJunior Lifeguardswillreceive directsupervisionfrom theAquatics Director, Head Lifeguard, Junior Lifeguard Mentors andotheraquatic staff.
CriticalSkills/ExpertiseNeeded
BeFamiliarWith:
Basic operation of a pool
Basic record keeping methods and procedures
Safety concerns in and around the pool
Ability To:
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Maintain a safe work environment
Junior Lifeguard AcademyCourse
Attend and complete all Junior Lifeguard Academy Classes
EssentialVolunteerDuties
Enforce all pool rules
Provide exceptional customer service to all guests
Rules
Communicate problems and concerns with the Aquatics Director,
Junior Lifeguard Mentors and/or other aquatics staff
Keep physically fit, mentally alert and prepared to respond to any emergency
Maintain professionalism at the pool; including appearance, punctuality and behavior
Follow through on all Junior Lifeguard assignments and schedules
Assist in the maintenance of a safe aquatic facility
Assist in the teaching of swim lessons to program participants
Assist in the administration and logistics of various aquatic programs
Junior LifeguardAcademy ParticipantRequirements
Communication
AllJunior Lifeguard AcademyCandidates/Participantswill beresponsiblefor providing an accurate,regularlymonitorede-mailaddressto theAquatics Director.This will be usedfor all communication from theSmith FamilyYMCA.If atanytimeaparticipant needs tocommunicatewiththeAquatics Director, they candosobye-mail r by phone
(815) 726-3939 ext 417.
Westronglyencourage theJunior LifeguardParticipantstobedirectlyinvolvedin settinguptheirVolunteer Hours andanyadditional trainingwith theAquatics Director. Shoulda participant,inthefuture, becomeemployedas a professional lifeguard,it is essential they areabletointeractwithsupervisors andco-workers independently.
Reporting foryourShift
“ClockingIn”
Each timeyou arrivefor ascheduledshift,youmustclock in on a timecard located in the lifeguards’ office.Youwill haveatimecardwithyour nameon it.Youmusthavea Junior Lifeguard Mentorinitial the timecardafter each shift youwork.
Appearance
Junior Lifeguardswill berequired towear an appropriateswimsuit at alltimes duringthe Academy.Thismeansa one piecesuitfor girls andappropriate lengthmen’s suitforboys. Youshouldbe prepared togetinthe water everytimeyoushowupforashift.Please donotdo anythingprior toashiftthat would preventyoufromgettinginthewater thatday(e.g. gettinghairstyled/colored,body piercings, etc.).Youwillalsoneed to wear theprovidedJunior Lifeguardt-shirtwhenreportingtothepool.
Punctuality
AllJunior Lifeguardsare expected tobe ontimeforevery shift atthepool. Timeliness is crucial tothesafetyandsuccess ofour Academy.Allcases oftardiness and/or absences will be documented.Pleasedonotsignupforanyshiftthatyoucannotcompleteinits entirety.PleasenotifyaJunior Lifeguard Mentor,or the Aquatics Directorofanyunexpected changes toyour schedule as soon as possible.
Professionalism
The Aquatics Officeisafunctioning part ofour Lifeguarding Programs. Pleasekeepit cleanandallequipmentput awayinitsproper place.Keepinmind thatpeople approachingtheofficecan overhear your conversations sonoinappropriatelanguage or commentsshouldbemade. Any snacks brought to the Y may be kept and consumed in the lifeguard office, or the break room at the back of the building, not on the pool deck. Drinks are allowed on the pool deck, but must be kept in plastic, not glass, containers.
Assignments
Junior Lifeguardswill beresponsiblefor assistinginchemical checks andsafety checks throughouttheir shifts.Youwill be assignedvarious additional duties duringyour timeatthepool.
SwimLessons
During the summer at the Smith Family YMCA, we run a program called “Go Blue.” The goal of this program is to help all children enrolled in our summer camp to earn their blue wristband by the end of the summer by providing them with free, condensed swim instruction during their pool time. Part ofyour volunteer experiencewill be toassist withtheselessons.
YMCA swim instructors and camp counselors will teach each lesson, andyouwillbe thereto learnfromthem,as wellas assist with thesafetyoftheclass.Itis crucialfor youtobe alert andpositivewith theparticipantsandassist wherever needed.Be aware ofthe level oftheclass,andtheskills that arebeingtaughtintheclass.Attendanceand punctualityare veryimportant, astheparticipantsandtheinstructorsare counting on you.
Evaluations
Evaluations will beconductedfor everySmith FamilyYMCAJunior Lifeguard.Theseare beneficialfor theJunior Lifeguard, astheywillshow where you are excelling, as well as where you can improve.TheJunior Lifeguard Mentors will conduct the evaluationswith the input of other Aquatics Staff members.
EndoftheSeasonJuniorLifeguardAppreciationParty
As ashowof ourappreciationfor thehoursofwork you will haveputinfor us over the courseoftheseason,wewill be hosting anEnd ofthe SeasonJunior Lifeguard AppreciationParty. Itwill be heldattheendof the summer(date/timeto be announced). Family andfriendsare invitedto attend.Allsuccessful JuniorLifeguardAcademyParticipants willdemonstrateaselectionofskills learnedover thecourseofthe Academy.
Junior Lifeguard Academy – Application Information
Class & PoolSampleAgenda-Lifeguarding
Session#1-Lifeguarding:
Classtime
Welcome &Introductions
GUARDBingo game
Ground Rules
CourseObjectives
YMCAMission StatementCoreValues
WhatEquipmentDoesA Lifeguard Need?
Lifeguard RoleResponsibilities
Video-Non Swimming Assists(Reach, Throwing &Wading)
Video-WaterEntries(Compact Jump,StrideJump & Waveless Entry)
Video-ApproachStrokes(Freestyle, Breaststroke, Sidestroke)
Pool Time
SwimTestReview
Non SwimmingAssists(Reach, ThrowingWading)
WaterEntries(CompactJump, StrideJumpWavelessEntry)
ApproachStrokes (Freestyle, Breaststroke,Sidestroke)
Homework
StudyLifeguardRole& ResponsibilitiesWorksheet
MemorizeCore Values MissionStatement
Session#2-Lifeguarding:
ClassTime
Welcome Back
Review Session
Core Values Demonstration
Group Activity –“WhyDoIWantTo Be A Lifeguard?”
GuardingTechniques
Scanning Exercise
EarlyDetection Signs
Lifeguard ReadyGame
Video-Non SwimmingAssists(Reach, Throwing &Wading)
Video-WaterEntries VideoOnApproach
Video-Active& PassiveRescues
Test–RoleResponsibilitiesWorksheet
Pool Time
Non-swimmingAssists Review WaterEntriesApproach Strokes (Freestyle, Breaststroke, Sidestroke)
Rescues UsingEquipment; ActiveFrontRear; Passive FrontRear; Escape(Tuckand Duck)
Homework
Seven Swim Levels
FiveComponentsOfSwimInstruction