With camp season upon us, many summer camp programs will be headed for the pool or waterfront. Whether you run a dedicated summer camp, or simply host summer camp programs at your facility, it's important to think about how camp counselors can play a crucial role in supporting lifeguards.
It is important that counselors understand that water activities are not break time just because lifeguards are present. Rather, water activity time is when everyone needs to be at their most vigilant. By working together with lifeguards, counselors can add extra layers of protection—helping ensure that all activities are safe and appropriate, and that guards can focus their attention on guarding the pool.
Below is a list of responsibilities that can be assigned to counselors to help keep aquatic activities safe. Be sure to regularly communicate these expectations with your counselors throughout the summer. And if you are hosting camp groups at your aquatic facilities, it's a good idea to communicate these responsibilities to camp leadership too.