2026 ARC Lifeguard and Recertification Courses at Camp Hillcroft, Dutchess County, NY
Camp Hillcroft is pleased to offer American Red Cross Lifeguard Training and Recertification courses (with or without Waterfront Module) in Lagrangeville, NY.
All courses are offered as Blended Learning and require participants to complete an approximately 6-hour online portion before the in-person course dates.
Lifeguard Training (Including Deep Water). June 20th, 21st, and 22nd, 2026 (3 Days)
Waterfront Skills Module (Add-on) June 20th, 21st, and 22nd, 2026 (Included in 3-Day Course)
Lifeguarding Recertification (Without Waterfront) June 20th (1 Day)
Waterfront Lifeguarding Recertification June 20th, and possibly June 21st (for additional waterfront skill work if needed)
CPR Recertification June 21st (morning) Half Day
Registration and Contact
Course Fee:$450 (Includes light snacks, lunch, dinner, and the Lifeguard Training Book).
Pre-Course practice Swim Test Fee:$25 This payment is due the day of any practice swims that are undertaken. This is not required for participation in the course. This is offered as an option for those who are local and looking to practice in a pool before the start of the course. It does not guarantee the participant will pass the swim test on the first day of the course. Contact us for more details.
Cancellation/Refund Policy: Full payment is due when submitting the application and is non refundable once the course starts which is why we highly recommend that you attend our pre test swim days (mid June)
Lifeguarding courses: Must be at least 15 years old by the last day of the course (June 22nd, 2026) and show proof of age.
Recertification courses: Must hold a current ARC certification that has not expired more than 30 days from the start of the course
Strength: The course is strenuous. Candidates should be very strong swimmers.
Skill Prerequisites: All prerequisites must be completed successfully on the morning of June 20th at Camp Hillcroft. We highly suggest practicing these skills before coming to the course.
Facilities and What to Bring
Location: We use three outdoor pools, a private lake (1 mile off-site), and indoor spaces for CPR training.
What to Bring: The weather can vary, so please plan accordingly with extra towels, sunscreen, changes of clothes, extra swimsuits, and a refillable water bottle. Also, bring proof of blended learning completion if you did not email it ahead of time.
* To be certified for a waterfront environment (lakes, rivers, ponds), you must complete the Waterfront Skills Module. Review the additional prerequisites for this training. Ocean lifeguarding requires a separate certification.
All candidates must successfully complete the required prerequisite swimming skills evaluations for the course they are registering for.
Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water)
Successfully complete two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:
Prerequisite 1: Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence (No stopping to rest)
Jump in and totally submerge.
Resurface and swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. (No swimming on the back or side. Goggles are allowed. Must use rhythmic breathing where the face goes in and out of the water.)
Maintain position at the surface for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.
Prerequisite 2: Timed Event (Complete within 1 minute, 40 seconds)
Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (Face may be in or out. Goggles are not allowed.)
Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7–10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.
Candidates taking the Waterfront module must complete the two prerequisites above, PLUS an enhanced Prerequisite 1 and an additional Prerequisite 3:
Prerequisite 1: Enhanced Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence (No stopping to rest)
Jump in and totally submerge.
Resurface and swim 350 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. (No swimming on the back or side. Goggles are allowed. Must use rhythmic breathing where the face goes in and out of the water.)
Maintain position at the surface for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
Swim 200 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.
Prerequisite 3: Underwater Swim
Swim 5 yards.
Submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4–7 feet of water.
Resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards.
Recertification Specifics
Recertification Requirements: Successfully complete the prerequisites for the course you are recertifying in (Lifeguarding with Deep Water OR Waterfront Module), complete the online blended learning, complete all in-person skills/scenarios, and pass the written exam with at least 80%.
Lifeguard Only Recertification: Course is on June 20th
Waterfront Lifeguarding Recertification: Course is on June 20th. You may need to return on June 21st for 2-3 hours of waterfront skill work at our lake if not completed on day 1.
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