Junior Lifeguard Program
Dive into the ultimate summer adventure with the Milwaukee County Junior Lifeguard Program! Perfect for young water-lovers, this program gives the chance to discover what it takes to become a lifeguard while having fun in the sun.
- Play water games and tackle obstacle courses to build strength and coordination
- Explore the lifeguard role by shadowing pros and watching live lifeguard demos
- Boost your fitness with a mix of running, dry-land training, and swimming drills
- Master first aid and water-safety skills to help others in need
- Build teamwork and leadership skills through group challenges, activities, and competitions
- Swim and splash your way to becoming a more skilled and confident swimmer
2026 Program registration is open through June 21st. If the program is at capacity, you may register for the waitlist. To join the waitlist, proceed to register, add the item to your cart, and check out as normal. If a space becomes available, Milwaukee County Parks will contact you to complete registration and make the payment.
Who: This program is created for youths, age 12 to 15
When: 3 hours, 1 month, 3 days a week
- 9 a.m. to noon.
- July 6th to July 30th
- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Where: Wilson Park Pool
Bring: Junior Guards are provided with a T-shirt to be worn each day, and a midmorning snack (included in program fee). Junior Guards are expected to bring their own swimsuit, towel, running shoes, socks, shorts, sunscreen, and water bottle along with extra snacks (if needed) each day.
Cost: Thanks to the generosity of Aquatics Ambassadors, you may pay what works best for your family, from $75 to $150 per junior. No questions asked or additional information/documents needed. The remainder of your program fee will be covered by Aquatics Ambassadors MKE.
Qualifications: Pass a "Level 5 Swimmer" swim test (50-meter swim, 2-minute tread).
Note: To ensure your child is capable of passing the swim test prior to registering for the Junior Lifeguard Program, take your child to the pool and to assess their ability: 50-meter front crawl swim must be completed in 1 minute and 15 seconds and 2-minute tread in the deep end with no stopping.
Milwaukee County Lifeguards
Established in 1946, Milwaukee County Lifeguard Corps (MCLC) has a rich history serving the Greater Milwaukee Area. Many Milwaukee County lifeguards turn their on-the-job experience into successful careers in healthcare, emergency services, law enforcement, the military, public administration, recreation, and education. The program develops young leaders, who already have a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, with the following:
- Lifesaving, leadership, and teamwork skills
- Strong communication and public service experience
- Confidence and responsibility in high-pressure situations
To become a Milwaukee County Lifeguard, you will need to successfully complete the required training program.
Lifeguard Training Program
Step 1: Registration
To qualify for training, you must be …
- At least 15 years old (16 by the time of hire)
- Able to swim 100 meters (four lengths of pool) in 1 minute and 45 seconds or less
- In good physical condition
Step 2: In-Water Training & Exam
Sessions available February through April
This is a mandatory, 12-hour (3 weeks, twice per week) qualification course. Instructors teach you six in-water rescue skills in preparation for the Civil Service Exam. You must pass the exam to move to the interview stage.
Step 3: Interview
Physical skills are just one part of being a great lifeguard. The strongest candidates demonstrate dependability, confidence, professionalism, and a passion for serving the community.
Step 4: Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Course
Instructed by the Office of Emergency Management, this 40-hour course covers how to assess, diagnose, and treat patients in emergency situations, and how to perform CPR.
Course Fee: Milwaukee County Parks is pleased to cover the majority of the cost of this course, with lifeguard recruits required to pay only $50.
Continued Training After Hire
There is a lot to learn about your facility’s rules and emergency procedures. On-the-job training includes:
- Shadowing experienced lifeguards
- Learning pool rules
- Practicing emergency procedures
Lifeguard Benefits
Pay starts at $17.67/hour
Other Benefits include:
- Annual beach-games competition
- Awards and recognition
- Team-bonding activities
- Leadership opportunities and skill development
Hours & Schedule
- Summer Outdoor Swim Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
- You will be assigned to one Milwaukee County Parks facility for the entire summer and will be given an opportunity to rank your location preferences for consideration.
- Flexible scheduling accommodates sports, summer school, internships, vacations, and more.
- You must work at least 10 hours per week.
- Pools are open seven days per week.
- First-year lifeguards can expect to work up to 30 hours per week.
Uniforms
- Milwaukee County Parks provides one uniform set, including a suit and whistle.
- You may purchase duplicate items.
- You may use rain gear available at your facility while you are working there.
- You must provide your own sunglasses.