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The Pensacola Beach Junior Lifeguard Program offers a unique and engaging opportunity for teenagers aged 13 to 15 to become “Guardians of the Gulf.” This alternative summer camp not only promotes physical fitness but also emphasizes beach safety and the ecological and historical significance of Pensacola Beach.
Participants engage in a variety of training activities that simulate the experience of being a Pensacola Beach Lifeguard. Throughout the program, Junior Lifeguards will become familiar with essential medical equipment, learn about the local beaches, and perform mock rescues, gaining valuable skills that can protect themselves and others.
The program includes daily physical conditioning, ocean lifeguard training, surf activities, and education on beach safety. Junior Lifeguards will also experience tower shadowing, fire rescue training, and emergency medical skills. Additionally, there are fun outings such as a picnic at Fort Pickens and research activities at Sabine Island.
The program runs over two sessions in the summer: the first from June 15 to June 26 and the second from July 20 to July 31, with classes held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To participate, candidates must first complete a tryout, which consists of a 400-yard swim in waist-deep water followed by a one-mile run on the sand. The upcoming tryout is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 a.m. at the Quietwater Beach pavilions.
Each Junior Lifeguard session costs $200, which includes a mandatory equipment package for boys and girls. Parents can purchase additional equipment if desired.
This program not only equips young people with lifeguarding skills but also fosters a sense of responsibility and community awareness among the youth of Escambia County. For more information or to register for tryouts, interested families can visit the official Escambia County website or email the program coordinators directly.
References
Pensacola Beach Junior Lifeguard Program. (n.d.). MyEscambia.com. https://myescambia.com/pensacola-beach/pensacola-beach-lifeguards/junior-guards