Calling local teens, apply to win a lifeguard and swim instructor training course scholarship — 8 available!

I’m fairly certain that I learned to swim by being promised that if I were to jump off the diving board, I would land safely on a floatie. But of course, as I took that hopeful leap my grandmother pulled the floatie out of my path, and instead, right into the deep end I went. I’m guessing it worked because 1. I’m still here, 2. I don’t have traumatic memories of water, 3. I’m almost positive this exact process was repeated with every one of my cousins, and guess what? We’re all strong swimmers. However, will I be doing this with my own children? Absolutely NO WAY. 

If I’m being honest, I don’t how our generation survived the parenting style of our childhood and I’m thankful that our children won’t have to. Now, regardless if your family are boating, swimming, or paddle boarding fanatics, water safety is a stringent focus. We designate parents in shifts to watch our children play in the bay, demand a “no cell phone” rule near the pool to eliminate such a distraction, and teach our children to always swim near lifeguards.

This generation of children will be most experienced in water safety, especially with the help of programs and offerings such as the following.

This year, the East End Seaport Museum is awarding scholarships to eight local (Town of Southold) teens ages 16+ who would like to become certified lifeguards or swim instructors/water safety specialists. 

“Lifeguarding is vital to ensuring the safety of residents and visitors to our North Fork beaches,” Sarah Sands, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the East End Seaport Museum, told us in a recent interview. “It also provides an opportunity for local youth to gain work experience in a role that demands leadership and reliability for young people who are nearing adulthood.”

"Recruiting and training enough lifeguards to keep our residents and summer visitors safe each summer is no easy task. Lifeguarding is more than a job. It is a great way to give back to the community, stands out on resumes and applications as a position that requires a great deal of professionalism and maturity, and most importantly is vital to ensuring the safety of people visiting our local beaches,” shared Janet Douglas, Recreation Supervisor, Town of Southold. “When you factor in the rising cost of the certification course, the opportunity to become a lifeguard or swim instructor seems to be daunting. These East End Seaport scholarships have opened many doors of opportunity for our residents, now and in their future.”

While the tradition of East End Seaport Museum providing local teens scholarships to enroll in the annual lifeguard training programs is a long-standing one, this is the first year that eight scholarships will be offered.

“Last year, two very generous donors emerged to provide an additional five scholarships. An additional surprise came this winter when the same two donors increased their support, allowing us to provide eight scholarships to this valuable training program,” added Sarah.

To apply, teens must be 16 years or older, reside in the Town of Southold, and be in good academic standing. Along with a basic application providing grade level, GPA, extracurricular activities/clubs, work, and volunteer experience, students must also choose one of the following essay prompts to respond to:

Lifeguards and Swim Instructors must act with maturity and responsibility as they safeguard the lives of others. Please discuss a time in your life when you have acted with maturity and responsibility. 

The East End Seaport Museum celebrates our local community’s marine heritage. Please discuss an experience or project that caused you to feel significantly connected to our local waters.

Sarah shared that the essay prompts were, “Carefully written for students to showcase their passion for lifeguarding and also their personal connection with our local maritime heritage.”

Should an applicant have any questions, they are welcome to email director@eastendseaport.org. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities here. Applications must be received by April 11, 2025.