Junior Lifeguard Program

The Junior Lifeguard Program is for participants between the ages of 9 and 13. 

During the camp, Junior Lifeguards are placed in groups based on their ages: 9 - 11 and 12 - 13.

The Junior Lifeguard Camp is located at the Jacksonville Beach Lifeguard Station. 

The Jacksonville Beach Lifeguard Station is located at the end of Beach Boulevard, across from Joe's Crab Shack. The Lifeguard Station address is 2 Oceanfront North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.

ALL CAMPERS MUST BE GOOD SWIMMERS AND COMFORTABLE IN THE OCEAN.

On the first day of camp, campers will be required to perform a swim test in the ocean. All campers must pass the swim test to continue in the program. 

Junior Lifeguards must participate in all camp activities throughout the week, including, but not limited to, swimming, running, paddle boarding, and more.

Junior Lifeguards who may not be able to perform an activity but show an attempt or is willing to learn will be taught how to perform any activity they do not know how to do.

Visit the link at the top of this page to access the 2023 Junior Lifeguard Camp Application. 

Once the application is submitted, you will go to the City of Jacksonville Beach Parks and Recreation Office to pay and reserve your camper's spot in the camp.

Junior Lifeguards are expected to show up to camp "water ready" (wearing their swimsuit). 

Every Junior Lifeguard should bring sunscreen, water and/or a healthy drink, lunch (in a container or lunch box, not a paper bag), an extra t-shirt, a towel (or two), and a healthy snack.

A water cooler will be available for campers to refill their water bottles throughout the day.

On the first day of camp, campers will be required to perform an ocean swim, where they will be expected to swim freestyle continuously under lifeguard supervision. 

Throughout the week, campers will learn and experience through classroom, hands-on, and physical training about ocean swimming skills, physical fitness, paddle boarding, bodyboarding, beach safety, and the role of an Ocean Rescue Lifeguard.

By the end of the week, Junior Lifeguards will have learned about the following:

• Entering and exiting the water safely
• Ocean swimming
• Negotiating the surf and shore break
• Paddleboarding (with a long board and a surf rescue board)
• Understanding coastal weather
• Coastal and marine life in the area
• Body surfing
• Bodyboarding
• Beach running
• Identifying and swimming out of a rip current
• Ocean Rescue Lifeguard safety and skills
• Basic first aid and personal safety
• Team building
• Overall beach and ocean safety information on how to stay safe while at the beach

Refunds are not permitted for campers absent from one or multiple days of their scheduled camp. 

Due to the impacted nature of the Junior Lifeguard Program and the class size limits for safety purposes, make-up for absences at a different time or session is NOT permitted.

If a camper is registered for a session and can no longer attend the session, the payer for the camper must contact the City of Jacksonville Beach Parks and Recreation Office no later than 3:00 p.m. on the Monday before the first day of the registered session to receive a full refund.

Although we recommend that all campers arrive at the start of camp and leave at the end of camp, so they do not miss anything, we understand that Junior Lifeguards sometimes have to leave early or arrive late to camp.

If a Junior Lifeguard is leaving early, please have the camper provide a signed note (with a phone number on the note) to the Camp Coordinator on the morning of the day they have to leave early. 

If a Junior Lifeguard is going to arrive late, please have the camper provide a signed note (with a phone number on the note) to the Camp Coordinator the day before the Junior Lifeguard arrives late. 

If there is a no-notice late arrival or early dismissal, please find an Ocean Rescue Officer at the Lifeguard Station to assist you if the Junior Lifeguards are not at the Lifeguard Station.

Absolutely, pending open spots. 

Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Camp spots are only held when receiving payment for each session per camper.

Junior Lifeguard Camp cost $200.00 per session. Cash or check are the only two types of payment methods accepted. 

All payments for the Junior Lifeguard Camp must go through the City of Jacksonville Beach Parks and Recreation Office.

Junior Lifeguard Camp is held in all weather and surf conditions. Activities will be adjusted accordingly.

The use of cell phones is heavily discouraged while attending Junior Lifeguard Camp.

If a parent or legal guardian needs to contact their Junior Lifeguard or the Junior Lifeguard Camp Counselors, they can contact the Ocean Rescue Communication Center at 904-270-1685 to relay a message.

Campers who do not pass the ocean swim test on the first day of camp will be dismissed and receive a partial refund of the camp session.

For more information on the Junior Lifeguard Program, please email us at oceanrescue@jaxbchfl.net or call the Camp Coordinator at 904-877-0819.