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Lifeguard Staffing for Summer Camps and Day Camps

Writer: Acelan Keith
Acelan Keith
Jun 18
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Swim time is the highlight of any day camp — and the part that demands the most supervision. Whether your program runs a daily swim block at a community pool or takes campers on weekly water outings, certified lifeguard coverage is what keeps swim time safe and your program protected.

Why Camps Need Dedicated Lifeguards

Camp counselors are wonderful at running activities, but watching a pool full of mixed-ability swimmers is a specialized job. Children at camp arrive with a huge range of swimming skills, and a counselor managing a group cannot also provide the constant, undistracted water surveillance that a crowd of kids requires. A dedicated lifeguard does one thing: watch the water.

There is a liability dimension too. Camps carry a duty of care, and most insurers and parents expect certified lifeguard supervision any time campers are in the water.

How Many Lifeguards Does a Camp Need?

The industry standard is one certified lifeguard per 25 swimmers in the water at a time, but camps often need more:

  • Up to 25 campers swimming — at least one lifeguard

  • 25 to 50 campers — two lifeguards

  • Mixed or young age groups — consider an extra guard; non-swimmers and small children need closer coverage

  • Large or irregular pool shapes — more guards to eliminate blind spots

Seasonal and Recurring Coverage

Most camps do not need a guard for a single afternoon — they need reliable coverage across a season. We can build a recurring schedule so the same vetted, certified guards cover your swim blocks all summer, and we provide a certificate of insurance for your program files. If your camp runs at an HOA or apartment community pool, our HOA and community pool lifeguard services cover that setting too.

What Every Guard Brings

Each Ace's Lifeguarding guard holds current American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid certification, passes a criminal background check, and is covered by general liability and workers compensation insurance. Guards arrive with their own rescue equipment and conduct a pool safety check before campers enter the water.

Staffing Your Camp's Swim Time in Los Angeles

Ace's Lifeguarding provides camp and program lifeguard staffing across Greater Los Angeles. Rates start at $180 for a 3-hour minimum, with recurring-schedule rates available for the season. Get started here or call or text (626) 628-5419 to plan your summer coverage.

About the author — This guide was written by Ace Keith, founder of Ace Lifeguarding and an American Red Cross–certified lifeguard (Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid). Ace runs the service personally from Altadena and staffs certified, insured, background-checked guards for pool parties, HOA and apartment pools, and private events across Greater Los Angeles. He vets every guard himself, so your booking is never handed to an anonymous roster. Have a pool event coming up? Book a lifeguard.

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