CLEAR group discusses Junior Lifeguard program
Canyon Lakers Kasey and Greg Castillo hosted several leaders from Canyon Lake and whatever members of the community who wanted to attend to their home Saturday in hopes of obtaining and disseminating information about the new Canyon Lake Enrichment Activities and Recreation (C.L.E.A.R.) Foundation over “coffee and conversation.”
The bulk of the conversation Saturday revolved around Canyon Lake’s youth and how the Foundation plans to bring enrichment, activities and recreation programs to them, especially the junior lifeguard program being proposed by the Foundation.
During the social, those who attended learned about C.L.E.A.R., received updates on the junior lifeguard program and heard more about the foundation’s future plans for summer camps and enrichment opportunities.
Jon Hernandez, California State Parks lifeguard coordinator, and Kelly Perez, junior lifeguard coordinator, shared their vision of bringing the lifeguard program to Canyon Lake.
JON HERNANDEZ, California State Parks Lifeguard Coordinator
Jon shared just a glimpse of what the kids will learn should they choose to try out for lifeguard training. The participants will learn basic first aid, including CPR, and especially what to look for when someone is displaying signs of heat exhaustion.
“When the kids are accepted into the program, they work hard,” Jon said. “It’s not a babysitting club. It’s a learning experience and one that hopefully will give these kids an opportunity to perhaps advance into becoming a lifeguard, firefighter, police officer or any other type of public service job.”
It has been Jon’s experience, he said, that in this type of program, the youth really grow as human beings, they grow in their understanding of water knowledge and they make friends as they learn together some valuable life skills.
Kelly said the program helps build the youths’ self confidence as they sit on the lifeguard towers and protect those in the water.
Members of the CLEAR Board addressed the group.
Canyon Lake Mayor Jeremy Smith, a CLEAR director, reported that he was able to work with the Riverside Transit Authority to set up a shuttle that will get the participants from Canyon Lake to Lake Perris for the program once they are accepted.
“We live here on a lake and we don’t have lifeguards at the different beaches,” host Kasey, the CLEAR board’s treasurer, said. “Everyone here and all of us on the board want to bring water safety to Canyon Lake and help to get our kids involved in programs, like the lifeguard program.”
She also talked about the fundraising efforts for the CLEAR Foundation so that nobody is left out of the program for financial reasons.
“We want to raise money for scholarships to ensure all kids who want to participate and who are accepted can go,” Kasey said.
Darcy Burke, EVMWD President
Tim Cook, a Canyon Lake POA Board Member and a director on the CLEAR board, discussed how unique the opportunity is for Canyon Lake youth to be able to grow up around a lake.
“We should teach the Canyon Lake kids how precious this lake is,” Tim said. “Do they know how rare it is to be able to live in a place like this?”
Tim also said it is vital that Canyon Lake preserves a good relationship with the water district, which owns the lake’s water rights, so the community can ensure Canyon Lake will protect its lease of the lake surface ensuring Canyon Lake will continue to grow and always be such a great place to live.
Darcy Burke, President of EVMWD, a 22-year Canyon Lake resident and a director on the CLEAR board, said she is excited for the lifeguard program and she wants to help teach Canyon Lake youth that the lake isn’t just to play in, but it’s something that needs to be cared for. She wants to be sure the kids are taught how to care for the lake and be sure to give them the tools to protect it.
CLEAR President Bradley Morton said the foundation has set its goals high.
“This year the kids will be training at Lake Perris, but the hope of the foundation is to have them work in Canyon Lake as spotters, for example, for the Wakeboard and Ski Clubs next summer after they are trained,” Brad said.
“It’s a great way to build their self esteem and give them a sense of importance as they assist on the boats while club members ski or wakeboard.”
Brad also spoke about the importance of the foundation fundraising for scholarships.
“We don’t want the cost of participating in the lifeguard program to prevent a child from signing up,” he said. “The foundation is accepting donations and is now a 501C-3 organization, so donations are tax deductible.”
Brad said he wants the foundation to show the California State Parks that Canyon Lake truly wants the lifeguard program brought to Canyon Lake.
“We want to show them that we are committed to our lake and our kids,” he said. “Bringing this level of safety to the community here in Canyon Lake is critical.”
CLEAR President Bradley Morton speaks to the group assembled at the home of Kasey Castillo, right, about the foundation’s goals for the youth of Canyon Lake. Photo by Dawn Rankins
The C.L.E.A.R Foundation invites kids ages 8-15 to try out for the junior lifeguard program. To be eligible, participants must be able to swim 100 yards in under three minutes, and tread water for two minutes.
The Junior Lifeguard program is two weeks long and will be held from July 11 to July 22 at Lake Perris. A possible second session may be added, depending on interest. Transportation will be provided to Lake Perris.
Tryouts will be on Sunday and again on May 22 at 10:00 a.m. at Sunset Beach.
The cost of the program is $260.00 with a $20.00 discount for siblings.
For additional information, the foundation can be contacted at CLEARfoundationCL@gmail.com.