By: Justin Broman, Ocean Rescue Supervisor

Summer time is here and it is hot, but our local kids are having a cool summer in Sunny Isles Beach being in the water and enjoying our adventurous Junior Lifeguard summer camp. In Junior Lifeguard camp, the kids learn everything about being a lifeguard. The camp is instructed by Ocean Rescue lifeguards with the assistance of counselors. The course is one-week and packed full of adventurous activities.

The Jr. Guards will learn all about beach safety, types of emergencies that could happen on the beach and how we respond to them. The kids will make mock rescues using the same tools real lifeguards use; they make rescues from our jet skis, rescue buoys and with rescue boards. We go over all our warning flag signs and dangerous marine life. Jr. Lifeguard camp is all about teamwork, staying in shape, beach safety and having fun. During the session, campers learn about sea turtles and assist with releasing live turtles out in the ocean giving them a better chance of survival. They even give them a name. Jr. Guards will learn about local wildlife and hazardous water conditions like rip currents.

Upon completion of the camp, each junior lifeguard receives a certificate of completion, along with awards for various competitions that are held throughout the week. Junior lifeguards from previous years get to initiate the new guards, and this can get a little messy .Once the campers complete this program; they will definitely have a better confidence about the ocean and make a lot of friends along the way. Have a great summer and if you come out to the beach, remember to always swim near a lifeguard.