Sign up now for YMCA’s Spring Break Camp, lifeguard training course

Have fun, stay fit and get a leg up through the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

For kids, the YMCA is readying for Spring Break Camp, set for 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 18-22 at the city of Las Vegas' Durango Hills Community Center YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive, and Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive.

Fun seasonal activities and YMCA camp favorites -- group games, swimming and character development activities -- await youths between 5 and 12.

Many activities will be themed around healthy eating habits, being an involved individual and renewing oneself for spring, said Beth Kolacki, youth and family director at the Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA.

"Y day camp is most definitely a staple in the YMCA," she said. "In addition to providing fun to the kids, it's a solution to parents who work. It gives them something positive to do with their kids."

A supplemental specialty program -- magic camp -- will be led by a professional magician for kids at the Centennial Hills YMCA. The camp will culminate in a performance for all campers .

The specialty program is scheduled for two hours each day.

The cost is $131 for the week or $45 per day. Parents can register their children at the YMCA's front desk or at lasvegasymca.org. Financial aid is available for needy families.

Summer day camp is right around the corner, too.

Camp is in when school is out and is planned for 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, June 13 through Aug. 26 . Parents can register their children for traditional camp or a number of specialties, including sports camp, magic camp, Top Chef camp, waterpalooza and more. On- and off-site field trips also are planned.

Lifeguards needed

Summertime means pool time in Las Vegas. For those who want to become a certified lifeguard, the YMCA is offering four-day lifeguarding certification courses through the end of July.

The course runs Friday through Monday on designated dates, listed on lasvegasymca.org or at YMCA locations. All instruction is at the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane.

Candidates must complete a prerequisite swim test at 6 p.m. the Monday before the course start date, and there is no charge for the test. Upon successful completion of the prerequisite swim test and paid course, the candidate will receive American Red Cross certification in CPR/AED, lifeguard training and first aid. The certification makes the individual eligible to apply for jobs at any YMCA, city or casino pool. It is suggested that candidates take the course early as positions fill up in the spring, said Brianna Gerrity, senior program director.

"It's a great opportunity for us to target potential staff," she said. "But they will be able to work in any pool."

Instruction includes practical experience with CPR, rescue breathing and dealing with an obstructed airway, training in shallow water with passive and active victims and deep water with a distressed swimmer.

The lifeguard certification is valid for two years. Candidates must be 16 or older.

The course cost is $140, plus $20 for a CPR mask for YMCA members. The fee is $200 for nonmembers.

For more information or to register, visit lasvegasymca.org or call the Centennial Hills YMCA at 478-9622, the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA at 877-9622 or the Durango Hills YMCA at 240-9622.

Contact Centennial and Paradise View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.