Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent Jerry Eubanks announced today that the park is recruiting young men and women, ages 11-15, to be a part of the 2006 Junior Lifeguard Program. The program will be similar to the “Junior Ranger Program”, but with an emphasis on physical fitness, water safety and rescue, and marine resources conservation. The participants will receive CPR, First Aid, and water safety and rescue training while they are enrolled in the program but will not be allowed to perform an actual rescue. This year two classes are planned for July 10-14 and July 24-28. Each class will consist of twelve Junior Guards. Participants will receive CPR and First Aid training the first day. The beach training will be held at Johnson Beach in the Perdido Key Area. The Park’s Lead Lifeguard, John Hunter, will be coordinating the program, which is in its ninth year. “We are very excited about the possibilities of developing a successful program that will encourage the enrollees to pursue careers in water safety and rescue. Of course, we also hope that it will increase the number of trained and qualified applicants for paid summer seasonal lifeguard positions at the Seashore,” said Eubanks. Space is limited to the first twelve individuals who apply for each class. Registration will be June 1 and June 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those wishing to register should call 850-916-5632 to leave a voice mail message with the requested information and specifying which class they prefer. Calls will be answered in the order received; calls before 8:00 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m. will not be taken. Once all twelve slots are filled for each class, a waiting list will be established. For information about the program prior to registration, contact Lead Lifeguard John Hunter at 850-232-5883.
