Volusia County Junior Lifeguard Program Begins This Weekend

Daytona Beach, FL – Volusia County Beach Safety’s (VCBS) Junior Lifeguard tryouts begin this weekend and will continue every Saturday in May and on June 12. This is not a learn to swim program. The tryouts are to qualify for a week-long camp where professional lifeguards will offer participants a chance to learn about water safety and first-aid techniques. Junior lifeguards will also take part in daily team relays involving surfboard paddling, swimming, running, and beach flags. To qualify, junior lifeguards must be able to swim 100 yards within two minutes and 15 seconds, tread water for five minutes, and swim underwater 10 feet. You do not have to register to try out.  Tryout Dates and Locations •    Saturday, May 8     8 – 10 a.m., Four Townes Family YMCA, 280 Wolf Pack Run, Deltona    11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Deland YMCA, 761 E. International Speedway Blvd. •    Saturday, May 15     8 – 10 a.m., Edgewater YMCA, 148 W. Turgot Ave.    11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ormond Beach YMCA, 500 Sterthaus Drive•    Saturday, May 22     8 – 10 a.m., Ormond YMCA    11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Port Orange YMCA, 4701 City Center Parkway•    Saturday, May 29     8 – 10 a.m., Edgewater YMCA    11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Port Orange YMCA•    Saturday, June 12    9 a.m. – noon, Ormond YMCA If your child cannot any of the scheduled Saturday tryouts, a limited number of slots are available for try-out at the ocean on the Monday morning of camp each week. To reserve a Monday morning tryout, email jrlifeguard@volusia.org and include the desired camp date. Summer camp candidates can register for camp after passing the physical skills test. The cost for a one-week camp is $150. Registration is open and can be completed at www.volusia.org/beach. Returning junior lifeguards do not have to take the physical skills test and may register at any time. Tuition is due upon registration. COVID-19 mitigation measures will be in place. Efforts will include splitting campers into smaller groups, temperature checks, discontinuation of community water jugs in favor of individual bottles, staggered lunch breaks, and safety checks.