Changed My Child's Life

HOW ONE SUMMER CAMP CHANGED MY CHILD'S LIFE

By Elizabeth Wickham

2004

A self-professed wimp that would rather read than play at recess, my ten-year-old son Robert's life was changed by one summer program. With asthma and flat feet, he was the slowest runner in his class, and awkward at any sport that involved a ball. Little did I know that signing him up for a summer camp called Junior Lifeguards in a nearby beach city would change him in more ways than I could have dreamed.

There's more to a day at the beach than boogie boarding and building sand castles. At least that's what Robert discovered along with other kids, ages 8 to15, in the program offered in Laguna Beach for 40 summers. After completing the four-week day camp, my son no longer got sand kicked in his face. Physically rigorous and demanding, at times the experience was even frightening.

Try swimming through the "blow hole," a hole in a rocky reef with an underwater tunnel to the ocean, or entering the "giggle crack," a large crevice in a rocky shore with waves tumbling in and out. After sit-ups and push-ups, kids spend their beach days mounting rocks from the ocean, paddling 10-foot boards in relay races, and running two to three miles down the sandy shoreline. That's what a day at the beach means to Junior Guards (JGs).

I would not have believed my son could do any of these things – or even want to. Yet, after struggling through the first two days with sore feet, aching lungs, tears, a bruised ego, and not believing he'd survive the day – he did. Not only did he survive, he thrived. Robert met the challenge and his physical endurance and self-esteem soared.

Chad Beeler, junior lifeguard supervisor and a lifeguard in Laguna Beach since 1991, leads four sessions, seeing as many as 430 kids each summer gain confidence and knowledge--in and out of the ocean.

"They learn skills, such as the proper way to go under waves and how to mount rocks safely from the ocean," Beeler said. "They get more knowledge in the water and how to play safely. By experiencing things like the giggle crack and swimming through the blowhole, they get gutsier, but also gain knowledge and skills. They learn more places and things to do in Laguna at the beach."

My son kept his mind sharp because there was more to being a JG than sheer physical endurance. JGs acquire a deeper appreciation and understanding of the marine environment—both its hazards and recreational opportunities. Robert learned about ocean safely, first aid, rescue techniques, body and board surfing, and marine safety operations. He learned what it takes to be a lifeguard and thinks it's something he'll pursue as a teenager.

Your child doesn't need to be a wimp to benefit, but kids must pass a swim test before enrollment. The biggest plus is to be one of the lucky 24,000 residents of Laguna. Residents have first preference for enrollment. Don't try to fake this requirement, because just like Beeler, the city staff knows everybody by face and name.

On sign-up day for non-residents, set your alarm early. At 5 a.m., a teenager walked by the blocks-long line of middle-aged parents sitting in lawn chairs and sleeping bags, and said, "Whoa! Must be some concert."

What we parents won't do for our kids--especially if the program does so much for them!

More information:

Laguna Beach Junior Lifeguards: www.lagunabeachlifeguards.com.

USLA- www.usla.org - United States Lifeguarding Assoc

CSLSA- www.cslsa.org - California Surf Live Saving Assoc.