Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Rescue Junior Lifeguards Camp
By William (Chip) Pfeiffer, Lead Lifeguard

The Sunny Isles Beach Junior Lifeguard Camp, now in its third summer, is taught by the City’s Ocean Rescue staff. The Junior Lifeguard Camp is an educational program designed to teach youth about ocean and beach safety.

In the first session of the 2006 program, which was held June 26 - July 7 for preteens and teens eleven to fifteen, participants were challenged to: learn lifeguard skills, work as a team, and develop community leadership qualities – all building blocks that give teens the opportunity to become active citizens and an integral part of their community. It’s all about respect, hard work, and mostly having lots of fun.

View Junior Lifeguard Camp Photogallery

During camp a junior lifeguard’s day began with physical fitness training, lots of running, swimming, push-ups, etc. Physical training is an important aspect of being a part of an ocean rescue team.

After a hard workout they moved into lifeguard training. Working together in squads they practiced the skills they learned, and then competed against each other, which is always great fun. Rescue relay and paddleboard races, along with run-swim-runs and beach flags were a hit.

After lunch, team sports like kickball, dodge ball, and volleyball made for an interesting show of sportsmanship. When the conditions permitted, surf lessons were everybody’s favorite; and of course they couldn’t get enough of the Jetski training or banana boat rides.

The camp agenda included guest speakers and field trips. During the June/July session, Oleta River State Park offered the perfect place for a kayak trip. Blue Moon provided the guide and kayak rentals. Bill Ahern from Miami-Dade Turtle Rescue and Wendy Fox from Pelican Harbor Bird Rescue shared their knowledge with the junior guards about the sea turtles and pelicans. Thank you all!

The last day of the first session began with competition between squads and individuals, many ribbons and awards were given out. Next was a pizza party with ice cream. There was a cake donated by Sunny Isles Beach Police officers. Our thanks go to you - Carrie and Erin. Then came initiation, when the returning junior lifeguards slimed the new junior guards as they crawled through the Sand Slime Gantlet, and the junior guards ‘attacked’ the instructors for a bit of sliming themselves – payback for all those push-ups? Hmmmm.

Upon the completion of the camp program the junior lifeguards have full knowledge of how to spot troubled swimmers, make preventions, recognize rip currents and get themselves out of one. They also learn how to use 911 and activate the EMS system, as well as daily lifeguard duties.

The second session of the Junior Lifeguard Camp 2006, which is for 6 – 10 year olds, begins August 7 and is already full. If you think this camp might be for you, and you’ve got what it takes, then watch for information about the Junior Lifeguard Camp registration for next spring.

The camp instructors for 2006, lead lifeguards Chip Pfeiffer and Justin Broman, and lifeguards Chris Padin and Jessica LeNoir would like to thank everyone involved.

Have a wonderful and safe beach day and remember to always swim near a lifeguard.

TOP