Lifeguards

Safety First

• In order for us to use the pool at Camp Shehaqua we need to have at least two lifeguards attending who have a valid Red Cross Lifeguard Certification (Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED: valid 2 years). The park rangers will not let us use the pool without certified lifeguards. The park rangers also require that the lifeguards show an ID.

• Directors need to understand that this is a serious matter and that the pool should never be used without a lifeguard present. Ignoring this rule could lead to serious legal problems. There has been a drowning death at Camp Shehaqua a few years back. Fortunately it wasn’t during one of our programs, but be advised that accidents like this can happen if you don’t follow the proper rules and safety requirements.

• Directors should encourage the lifeguards to report any problems with kids or parents to them right away, and then the director needs to talk to people disrespecting or disobeying lifeguards. The directors should also introduce the lifeguards properly (calling them up to the stage) during orientation and emphasize that in the pool the lifeguards are in charge.

• Each program needs at least two lifeguards because one lifeguard alone cannot possibly take on the responsibility to keep the pool safe for two hours without a break. Lifeguards should take a 10-minute break at least once an hour.

Instructions for Lifeguards

Read the instructions for lifeguards here. You should be familiar with all these instructions and rules.

Lifeguards Can Attend Camp for Free

• Our policy (as of May 2018): Each program can have up to two lifeguards who can attend camp for free.

• If more than two people sign up who are qualified to be lifeguard and they all want to get the position, the first two to register should become the lifeguards.

• These lifeguards have to register like regular attendees but they don’t have to pay.

• The camp director needs to let the lifeguards know that they won’t be able to be group leaders at camp (conflicting responsibilities) and that they won’t be able to participate in hikes, as the hikes often come back late and the pool needs to open on time.

• The camp director needs to inform the registrar who the lifeguards are/who should be given the administrative benefit.

Requirements of Hickory Run State Park

• Lifeguards will need to send a scan of a valid Red Cross Lifeguard Certification (Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED: valid 2 years) to the camp director. The camp director will have to print these scans out, as the park rangers require a hard copy for their files. The hard copies will need to be brought to the park office by the camp director or someone (s)he puts in charge of it. The rangers will only give us the pool key after they have received a copy of the certificates. The park rangers also require that the lifeguards show an ID.
• The pool key stays with the lifeguards during the program. If the lifeguards stay for the next program they can keep the key, otherwise they should return it to the registrar or a staff member of the next program. The pool key will need to be returned to the park rangers at the time of the walk-through at the end of the camp.
• Occasionally there is a group at Camp Daddy Allen that also wants to use the pool. The park rangers would let us know if that’s the case. If that happens, the camp directors of both camps will need to communicate about the hours.
• Ensure that nobody ever tries to force their way into the pool area when it’s locked—and we don’t have a key—by climbing over the fence or cutting the lock. We will get into serious trouble with the park rangers for such violations.

Park Office

3613 State Route 534

White Haven, PA 18661-9712

Phone: 570-443-0400

The office hours are changing at different times, so it’s best to call beforehand to find out when the office is open. The office is sometimes open on Saturdays, too.