Sedalia Parks and Recreation has an interesting summer camp for strong swimmers ages eleven to fourteen. Junior Lifeguard Camp. And it's more than just a gimmicky name to talk your kids into one more round of swimming lessons. In fact, it's less about swimming and more about life saving.

Kids registered for Junior Lifeguard Camp must be able to swim a minimum of 100 yards and tread water for one minute.

In the camp kids will learn CPR, first aid and how to perform water rescues. At the end of the camp, campers will shadow Sedalia Parks and Recreation lifeguards.

If you have a swimmer that thinks being a lifeguard might be a great summer job, this might be a great introduction to seeing if it's for them. It's also a great way to pick up some knowledge about first aid and learn how to do CPR, which can save a life.

While I probably wasn't a good enough swimmer to qualify for a class like this as a kid, I did have an interest in first aid, being a paramedic and athletic training which led to me being a student athletic trainer / manager in high school.

n this position we learned basic first aid, CPR, basic techniques to aid in the evaluation of injuries, how to tape ankles, fingers, toes and a variety of things to help our student athletes stay safe and perform with minor injuries and aches and pains. We did this all under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer, an orthopedic surgeon and paramedics.

It was an excellent experience and one I'll never forget. It was a lot of fun too. So if your kid has an interest in being a life guard. I think this is the perfect first step. And your kid having taken this class, that probably won't hurt a summer or two down the road when he or she includes it on their Sedalia Parks and Recreation job application.

The camp runs at Liberty pool from Monday June 22 - Friday June 26. Cost is $60 and includes a T-Shirt. You can register for the camp here or at the Parks and Recreation office. Campers must be registered by June 15.

 

More From KIX 105.7