ATTENTION YOUTH OF DELAWARE COUNTY ages 15 – 21.
EMPLOYMENT TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
The Delaware County Youth Bureau is pleased to announce the opportunity to become a CERTIFIED LIFEGUARD for FREE! Thanks to a grant from the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, we will pay the training cost for up to 38 youth to become certified lifeguards. Our goal is to afford this opportunity for up to 2 youth per township throughout Delaware County. The grant will cover the cost of the training which ranges from $270 to $350, depending on the training location. Currently, there are training classes scheduled at the SUNY Delhi pool, the Oneonta YMCA, and the Catskill Recreation Center. In addition to the cost of training and certification, we can (if needed) cover the associated costs of the required swimsuit/trunks, and CPR face shield. Gas reimbursement to and from training is not covered by the grant but will be considered on a case-by-case basis and paid for with additional donations.
Youth must be turning 15 by the last class date in order to be eligible. Currently, classes are being offered at the Oneonta YMCA with a “prerequisite pre-test” on 2/11/22 at 4pm with weekday classes to follow, at the Catskill Recreation Center on 2/25/22 with weekday classes to follow, and at the SUNY Delhi pool with prerequisite pre-test on 3/21/22 with evening classes to follow (see basic lifeguard training prerequisite below). Please contact Lara Yambor at the Delaware County Youth Bureau at 607-832-5310 for more information. If training dates are not convenient for you, please contact Lara at the Youth Bureau to inquire about up-coming training dates and sites near you! Trainings are limited to the winter and early spring months so if you are interested in working as a lifeguard this summer, don’t wait, CALL NOW!
Basic lifeguard training prerequisite (may vary slightly by training site):
Swim 300-500 yards continuously using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. Swim goggles may be used. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Timed event:
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
- Surface dive to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
- Return to the surface and swim 20 yards to return to the starting point with the object and exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
(Details vary slightly by training site)
Please call Lara Yambor at the Youth Bureau, (607) 832-5310, for more information.