After careful consideration and evaluation, Scouting America will transition away from the BSA Lifeguard certification program effective December 31, 2024. Over the last decade, training lifeguards across the entire aquatics industry has continued to evolve. While our partnership with the American Red Cross remains strong, the Red Cross training materials will no longer be available to be used for instruction of the BSA Lifeguard program. In addition, Scouting America does not have the resources required to develop and maintain a stand-alone lifeguard training curriculum that meets the rigorous standards set by state and federal regulations.
Moving forward, we believe that partnering with well-established certifying agencies such as the American Red Cross, YMCA, StarGuard Elite, and Ellis & Associates will still allow us to offer local councils access to top-tier lifeguard training. We are confident that this approach will provide Scouting with quality training while also meeting industry standards. Our primary focus is on ensuring that every council has the support it needs to certify lifeguards for both summer camp and year-round aquatic activities.
Individuals currently certified as BSA Lifeguards may continue to use their certification until it reaches its expiration date. BSA Lifeguard Instructors can no longer certify BSA Lifeguards as of 12/31/2024.
BSA Lifeguard and Instructor Program Transition Informational Webinar
Thursday January 16, 2025 at 7pm CT
As previously announced, the BSA lifeguard certification program will retire on December 31, 2024. To help you prepare for these changes and keep your camp(s) staffed with trained lifeguards, we invite you to join us on Thursday, January 16 at 7pm CT. We’ll be sharing details about the new training options, pricing, and resources available through Scouting America so you can move forward with confidence. We appreciate you taking the time to be part of this important conversation and look forward to helping you navigate this next step in lifeguard training.
Questions? Email outdoorprograms@scouting.org
Transitioning to Red Cross Certification: Opportunities for BSA Aquatics Instructors and BSA Lifeguard Instructors
We are committed to working closely with each council to maintain the high levels of safety and preparedness that our Scouts and leaders expect and supporting local council lifeguard certification programs for summer camp and year-round aquatics programs.
As part of this transition, currently certified BSA Lifeguard Instructors and BSA Aquatics Instructors will have the option to participate in a crossover course to become American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors, if they choose. More information about these opportunities will be available soon.
For individuals and camps that have relied on National Camping School Aquatics Instructor courses to become certified as lifeguard instructors, opportunities to earn certification as an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor will be offered both before or after National Camping School in 2025, along with additional certification options available at locations nationwide.
For information regarding the crossover courses, click on the following fact sheets:
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Course Fact Sheet
- BSA Aquatics Instructor Crossover to American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Course Fact Sheet
American Red Cross & BSA Lifeguard Instructor Crossover Opportunities
Certified BSA Lifeguard Instructors and BSA Aquatics Instructors will have the option to participate in a crossover course to become American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors. Candidates should visit the American Red Cross website here and look for the eight-hour Lifeguarding Instructor Crossover/Re-Entry-BL course (AP-HSSAQU804-BL-r.24) closet to their area. Questions?
Persons certified as an American Red Cross Lifeguard, can transition to becoming a lifeguard Instructor by taking the Lifeguarding Instructor-BL course (AP-HSSAQU803-BL-r.24). This is a 16-hour course. Again, candidates should visit the American Red Cross website here for courses near you.
Transition opportunities are also available from the YMCA, StarGuard Elite, Ellis & Associates and other recognized lifeguarding training providers.
We are working with the ARC and host councils to provide ARC Lifeguarding Instructor courses prior to National Camping School courses at selected locations in Winter and Spring 2025. Preliminarily, this would be a two-day course prior to NCS. As these courses are added, we will update the NCS website and notify councils.
