Safety is always a priority at Akelaland!

Our Aquatics program follows the proven method of water safety called Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat.  While training in safe swim defense and safety afloat is offered during your stay, it is also available online.  Safe Swim Defense training is not required to attend camp, but is required if your unit conducts its own swimming programs during the year.

Our camp protects your child while they are participating in aquatics through these methods:

Swim Testing

Before your child can enter the water, our camp requires that they have a physical on file.  Routine physical examinations can help screen your child for undetected physical conditions that would make it unsafe for them to swim.  Your child's first dip in our pool will be a swim test.  By testing your child's swimming ability, we can make certain that your child doesn't attempt to swim in water that is too deep for their ability.  If your pack would like, they may complete swim tests prior to your arrival at camp.  All they need to do is complete the swim test with a person with a valid lifeguard certification.  The pack can then bring a roster of your Scouts with the results of the swim test, and a note describing the qualifications of the person who competed the swim tests.

Buddy Tags and Buddy Checks

Anyone who enters our swimming areas must have a buddy tag, or a small round disk that identifies each person and their swimming ability.  These tags are hung on a Buddy Board based on which area of the pool or lake (or boats!) that a person is swimming in.  Everyone must swim with a buddy---no one swims alone!  Our camp conducts Buddy Checks on a regular basis.  During a Buddy Check, everyone exits the water and lifeguards count every set of buddies.  This enables us to keep constant track of who is swimming and enables us to ensure that everyone is ok.

Our camp maintains a paid and volunteer Aquatics staff that includes Nationally Accredited Instructors.  All staff are coached in lifeguard and emergency lifesaving, most Aquatics staff hold a BSA Lifeguard certification, Red Cross First Aid and Red Cross CPR.

Keith Breon serves as our Aquatics Director.  He holds National Camp School certification as an Aquatics Instructor.  Additionally, he holds Red Cross & BSA Lifeguard certifications.  Keith serves as our Lifeguard Instructor and trains all aquatics staff.  Keith holds a degree in business from Shippensburg University.