How to get swim cards
 In
order to do any small craft activity on Council property using
Council’s boats, girls must have an ARC Learn to Swim
certificate or equivalent as well as a GSSJC Safe Boating
Test Certificate. Girls wishing to sail must have an ARC Learn
to Swim Level IV certificate or equivalent plus a GSSJC Safe
Boating Test certificate. Girls wishing to canoe on flat non-moving
water must have an ARC Learn to Swim Level III certificate
or equivalent plus a GSSJC Safe Boating Test certificate.
In order to canoe on moving water (class I or II only), the
girls will need an ARC Learn to Swim Level IV certificate
or better or equivalent. (Adults need only a GSSJC Safe Boating
Test certificate to do small craft activities.)
Red Cross certificates can be obtained by attending the
August Aquatic Weekend’s Swim Stroke Workshops, or through
any currently certified Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.
Check with your local public and private pools and or instructors
for availability of certification. Kingwood Athletic Center,
Swim with Sherry, the City of Conroe, and Sweetwater Pools
are some places to call that offer programs. You may also
contact the Greater Houston Area Chapter Health and Safety
Department of the Red Cross at 713-526-0300 for more information.
For YMCA equivalents (Fish or higher) contact your local YMCA
for availability. The YMCA offers special Girl Scout YMCA
swim certificates/cards, be sure to request them when you
go to the YMCA! Remember the girls will be issued a certificate
based on their skill proficiency and endurance. If they cannot
perform the skill requirements, they will need to obtain lessons.
GSSJC Safe Boating Test certificates are also required. The
test may be given by any certified ARC Water Safety Instructor,
ARC Lifeguard, ARC Lifeguard Training Instructor, ARC Fundamentals
of Canoeing or ARC Basic Sailing Instructor. Check with your
various local public and private pools for availability. You
will need a pool with at least 8-9 feet of depth for this
test. Backyard pools are okay for the SBT test provided the
depth is met; however, you will need a regulation size pool
(25 yards) for swim certification. Those giving the GSSJC
Safe Boating Test may obtain certificates at the Council office.
Instructions for the test are on the back of the certificate.
GSSJC SBT’s are given at Aquatic Weekend’s stroke
workshops, or during resident camp. Hint: When obtaining swimming
certificates, do the SBT also.
Contact GSSJC Program Manager Sarah Boyd, 713-292-0269 or
e-mail at sboyd@sjgs.org, for more information. |
Instruction and Aquatic Weekends
| Note: The event code for all the following
events is 10-56-10-6240 The deadline for registration
is two weeks prior
to the event.
Please use the Program Registration
Form to register for any of the following events. |
Small Craft Safety-Canoeing
 If
you know how to canoe and are comfortable handling a solo
canoe, this class is for you. This Red Cross course was developed
in collaboration with the American Camping Association and
GSUSA, to meet the needs of camps and other organizations
that conduct small craft activities. The American Camping
Association will accept the Small Craft Safety Program as
meeting accreditation standards for camps in the area of small
craft supervision. This course is designed to provide individuals
such as camp personnel, trip leaders, and those involved in
small craft activities the information and skills necessary
to prevent, recognize, and respond to small craft emergencies.
This course will also prepare individuals for small craft
emergencies by teaching them how to protect themselves while
helping others. It does not teach you how to canoe. (Take
FUNdamentals of Canoeing if you do not know how to canoe).
Who: Girls age 12 and up and adults
Where: Camp Casa Mare
When: May 6-7; 7 p.m. Friday to 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Min./Max.: 4/12
Prerequisites
- Girls: Red Cross Learn to Swim Level III swim card or
equivalent or better and GSSJC Safe Boating Test
- Adults: GSSJC Safe Boating Test Certification
- ARC FUNdamentals of Canoeing practical skills and knowledge
and Demonstrate basic boat handling skills by solo paddling
a set course, and paddling a straight line.
Cost: $20, includes meals but does not include book
(No certifications needed, only skills needed)
Note: NO GSSJC Safe Boating Tests will be given at camp. However,
all participants must satisfactorily complete the Red Cross
small craft swim test at the beginning of the course. Bring
copies of your certificates with you to camp.
Text: Plan to purchase and read PRIOR to the class the following
book: ARC Small Craft Safety. |