Want to be a lifeguard? Want to see what it's like? Learn all about aquatics safety and rescue, and find out what it takes to get the best job you can imagine!
Join Camp Menlo for 3 weeks of a very special camp in August for ages 11 through 16. These camps show teens what it's like to be a lifeguard, offering instruction in first aid, CPR, pool/water safety, rescue techniques, team building, and fitness. We first offer an Instructional Camp that covers these basics. Then we follow up with an additional camp, our Shadowing Camp, for grads of Instructional Camp to get hands-on experience by shadowing our lifeguards on the job.
The instruction is Red Cross based and our Title-22 certified guards lead the program. These camps are open to swimmers of all abilities and skill levels. See what it's like to be a lifeguard and get the pre-training you need to go right into lifeguard certification classes.
- Camp Dates
- Instructional Camp and Shadowing Camp
- Sample Daily Schedule
- Pricing and Policies
- Staffing, Supervision, and Safety
- Location
Instructional Camp 1: August 2 – August 6, 11:00am–4:00pm
Instructional Camp 2: August 9 – August 13, 11:00am–4:00pm
Shadowing Camp: August 16 – August 20, 9:00am–11:30pm or 1:00pm–3:30pm
Our safety-first approach to education and skill development teaches youths how to handle themselves safely in aquatic environments. Participants will learn the skills necessary to help others in emergency situations while developing self-respect, team camaraderie, and physical conditioning. Daily themes include CPR, rescue techniques, first aid and protecting yourself from blood-borne pathogens, handling head and neck injuries and spine stabilization, and a Junior Guard competition where campers put it all together.
Junior Lifeguards who have completed at lease one Instructional Camp can go one step further. They get hands-on experience shadowing Menlo Swim and Sport lifeguards while they supervise our many summer pool activities and Camp Menlo swim sessions. A Shadowing Junior Lifeguard will experience being a real lifeguard without the responsibility of emergency action.
To qualify to enroll in Shadowing Camp, the Instructional Camp instructors rate a camper's performance and behavioral skills. Campers are evaluated on the last day of camp and must be cleared to participate in Shadowing Camp. These qualified campers will be invited to enroll in as many lifeguarding shifts as they'd like, based on availability, with shifts divided into morning and afternoon.
Instructional Camp
| 10:45 | Check in at the pool, in the lobby |
| 11:00 | Swimming and dryland fitness activities |
| 12:00 | Transition from fitness activity to classroom instruction and lunch |
| 12:30 | Classroom instruction and lunch |
| 1:15 | Team-building activity |
| 2:15 | Pool time with practice, demos, and exercises |
| 3:45 | Wrap-up and refreshments |
| 3:50 | Check out |
Pricing: Instructional Camp
$250 per week, limited to 24 participants each week. Attend one or both weeks of camp.
Pricing: Shadowing Camp
$25 per shift, limited to 8 participants per day or 4 per shift. Choose to enroll to shadow any shift, after you have been cleared to attend Shadowing Camp.
Cancellation Policy
- No refunds upon cancellation for Junior Lifeguard Camp due to short registration period.
- Fees are not refunded or prorated for days of camp missed due to injury or illness.
Instruction and activities for our Junior Lifeguard camp are led by two of our senior Menlo Swim and Sport lifeguards.
- Jose Carpio: Menlo Swim and Sport Lead Lifeguard, Certified Lifeguard Instructor and Title 22 Certified Guard
- Kaleb Allen: Menlo Swim and Sport Assistant Lead Lifeguard, Title 22 Certified Guard
The camp is hosted by Menlo Swim and Sport at the beautiful Burgess Pools facility. Activities for Camp Menlo may take place in either of two pools. One is a 25-yard, 11-lane competitive pool that is heated to 80 degrees. The second is a 25-yard, 6-lane rim-flow warm pool used primarily for instruction that is heated to 87 degrees and has a large shallow area. The Burgess facility also has third pool, which is a baby pool for ages 6 and under, heated to 87 degrees.
More about the Facility. View a map to 501 Laurel Street in Menlo Park.