Parent Handbook

Program Hours

Regular Program:  9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Any exceptions to normal program hours will be announced for field trips and other special events.

Transportation

It is the sole responsibility of each parent or guardian to ensure safe travel for their child(ren) to and from the Junior Lifeguard Program.  California State Parks and the Junior Lifeguard Program are not responsible for students outside of scheduled program hours and activities.  The Program does not certify parent carpools.  The only Program provided transportation is by licensed commercial carriers hired by the Program for group travel to special activities.

Parents are expected to be prompt at dropping-off and picking-up their Junior Lifeguards.  Parents are responsible for their children immediately prior to and immediately following scheduled program hours.  If you would like your child to ride their bicycle to/from JG’s, please write a note at the beginning of the session advising us of this.

Attendance

Attendance is taken daily. Attendance is particularly important if your child will be attempting SuperGuard! If you bring your child late, walk them out to the beach and personally notify an instructor of their presence.  Please send a note with your child if they will be leaving early so their instructor can have them prepared to leave when you arrive.

Discipline

Student Discipline for Minor Incidents:

For the Junior Lifeguard Program to be successful, students must exhibit behavior that is respectful of our staff, other students, our equipment and facilities.  Group activities are vital to our program.  A student that is disruptive to group activities and disrespectful to instructors diminishes the enjoyment and education of the other students.

The intent of discipline is to instruct the student so as to gain compliance with acceptable behavior norms.  Therefore, please familiarize your Junior Lifeguard with the following expected behaviors:

  • Arriving on time and being promptly picked up from the program
  • Respect of Instructors and other staff
  • Respect of other students: no shoving, hitting or name-calling
  • Respect of the facilities, equipment and property of others
  • Cooperation with others
  • Practice good sportsmanship
  • Follow all safety rules and all instructions
  • Listen quietly to directions / announcements
  • Participate in regular program activities

The progressive steps of discipline are as follows:

When a minor discipline situation occurs, the student will be counseled about the situation and given an explanation of what behavior change is expected.
If a subsequent incident occurs, the student will be asked to take a “TIME OUT” or “TAKE A LAP”.  A “TIME OUT” is an extended period in which the student will be removed from program activities.  A “TAKE A LAP” is a supervised swim, run or activity of reasonable distance/duration.  After the“TIME OUT” or “TAKE A LAP” the student is allowed to rejoin the group activity.

When a student has a series of “TIME OUT’s” or “TAKE A LAP’s” in the same day or a series of discipline situations over several days, the Lead Instructor will inform the youth’s parent or guardian about the situation.

When a student continually disregards the Instructors or shows little or no improvement with steps 1 through 3, the student will be suspended from the program for one day.  The parent or guardian of the student will be informed that the student has been suspended. This will also include a conference with the parents as to the necessary steps the student will follow in order to remain in the program.

If after suspension, the student’s behavior is still not acceptable, the parent or guardian of the student will be informed that the student may no longer attend any of the program’s activities.  There will be no refund of fees.

Student Discipline for Major Incidents:

Major first time incidents will result in an immediate suspension (1-3 days).  Major incidents would include:

Unexcused truancies or absences

  • Insubordination
  • Fighting with another student or other person
  • Unlawful or non-consensual touching of another person
  • Use of any illegal substance
  • Stealing the property of another
  • Vandalism of equipment or facilities
  • Throwing rocks, sand or food at other students, wildlife or property of others
  • Other conduct which brings disrespect on the Jr. Lifeguards or the State of California
  • Any time a major behavior problem occurs, the Aquatic Program Supervisor shall be advised.

Participation in Activities

Students are expected to participate in all regular program activities.  The younger, smaller students may not have the same opportunities as the older students to utilize equipment that requires body weight and strength.  If you have questions, please see one of the lead instructors.

Group Determination

Group assignments for each child (A, B or C) will be made by the program instructors.  Grouping is based primarily on age and skill level in the ocean. However, there may be other factors which influence your child’s grouping.  If you have questions please feel free to contact the program coordinator.

Refund Policy

There will be a $50.00 fee for cancellations made prior to the program start if the session is already full.  Refunds will not be given after the program has begun, except for certain injury or illness situations.

Injuries during the program that preclude the student’s further participation in activities may be given a pro-rated refund based upon the remaining number of days in the program including the date of injury.

There will be no refund of fees for students suspended (1-3 days) or for students that are removed from all further program activities for disciplinary reasons.
Please be aware that refunds must be processed through the State of California’s offices in Sacramento and may take up to six weeks.

Uniforms

Mark your name on all equipment and clothing clearly.
Student’s required uniform (available for sale before and during the program)

Boys:  Navy swim trunks and JG logo T-shirt, protective footwear and ocean swim fins. A rash guard, a navy or straw hat and navy sweatshirt are also recommended.
Girls:  Navy tank type swim suit, navy swim trunks and JG logo T-shirt, protective footwear and ocean swim fins. A rash guard, a navy or straw hat and navy sweatshirt are also recommended.

Uniform sales – students are required to buy their T-shirt from the program. The program also sells all other items (except footwear).  Swim suits, shorts, and hats may be purchased elsewhere, but must be solid Navy in color and of an appropriate style.

Swim fins – We expect Junior guards to have a pair of swim fins for long swims, days with bigger surf, and body boarding activities.  The program has a LIMITED number of fins available.

Use of Personal Equipment

No personal equipment will be allowed unless otherwise noted by a Lead Instructor. Traditionally, Bolsa (or HB) Surf Day is the only day where JG’s are encouraged to bring their own equipment. We have plenty of equipment for the JG’s to use.

Tuition Assistance

We have a limited amount of tuition assistance available. If your child or the child of someone you know cannot participate in the Junior Lifeguard Program without assistance, please contact us for a Tuition Assistance Application. Due to limited funding, tuition assistance is only available for one session per program year per student. Further, priority consideration will be given to new applicants. Otherwise, tuition assistance is first come first served during regular enrollment periods.

If you or your business has the means to make a tax-exempt donation to the Tuition Assistance Fund, please call the Junior Lifeguard Office.

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy

The California State Junior Lifeguard program admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The state does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship, athletic and other school  administered programs.

Contact Information

Chris Egan
Program Coordinator

office phone: (714)292-6381
mobile phone: (714) 292-6381
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
*use email for absence notification

Instructors

For information about our instructors visit the Instructors Page on this website.

The Tryout Test

The Junior Lifeguard Program is NOT a “learn to swim” school.  Therefore, prospective students are screened at a tryout test to see if they have the minimum skills to benefit from the Junior Lifeguard Program.  The instructors approve a child’s skill level based upon successful completion of the test and on the child’s swimming competence and confidence.

For key dates and locations for tryouts CLICK HERE.