Confidence in and on the water comes from being a strong swimmer and sailor. At Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer, we believe in safety in and on the water and improving the swimming ability of all campers.
We assess each camper’s swimming ability when they arrive. With campers at the pool, swim lake, and on the water, swimming is a critical skill.
Lifejackets are always worn on boats and campers must earn certain levels of swim bands before they can take to the water.
Swim Bands
Swim bands help ensure every camper is safe in and on the water. Each band color represents a specific swimming level, as determined in the swim assessment on the first day of each session, to help counselors know what water activities are safe for each camper.
For example, a camper with a red swim band would need a counselor to join them on a Sunfish. Campers with higher swim bands may be able to take that boat out independently. The same guidelines apply to keep campers in appropriate water depths for their swimming ability within the swim lake or pool. All campers, regardless of band color, wear lifejackets on boats and non-swimmers (red bands) wear lifejackets while in the swim lake or pool.
Each camper receives a swim band and is placed in a daily instructional swim lesson taught by a trained swim instructor. Many campers advance swim bands while at Camp and improve their swimming ability. If your child arrives at Camp as a non-swimmer they will be assigned a red band.
After earning the white swim band, campers have the opportunity to work toward advanced ranks and teams such as the Seaman Survival Rank or Dive Team, which are often marked by a band of a different color. Several ranks on the Sea (US Powerboating License, Beginner Sailor, etc.) are also marked with colored tape on a camper's swim band, serving as guidelines for counselors assisting them on the Sea.
Swim Bands
Assessment
Red swim bands are assigned to non-swimmers. Non-swimmers are campers who arrive at camp with not enough swimming skills to pass the swim assessment.
Pool and Lake Access
May swim in up to 3 feet of water. Campers must wear a life jacket if they have not yet completed grade 5.
Elements and Activities Access
The Zipline and the Otter Slide (SF) without a lifejacket. The Blue Zoom with a lifejacket. May also boat with a counselor.
Assessment
To earn a purple band swimmers must be able to plunge into less than five feet of water and resurface unassisted, tread water for 30 seconds and swim 12.5 yards.
Pool Access
May swim in up to 5 feet of water
Lake Access
May swim in up to 3 feet of water
Elements and Activities Access
The Zipline and the Otter Slide (SF) without a lifejacket. The Blue Zoom with a lifejacket. May also boat with a counselor or friend that has a white band. May water ski and tube.
Assessment
To earn a black band swimmers must be able plunge into more than five feet of water and resurface unassisted, tread water for 30 seconds and swim 50 yards with rhythmic breathing.
Pool Access
May swim in up to 6 feet of water
Lake Access
May swim in up to 5 feet of water
Elements and Activities Access
The Zipline, the Blue Zoom and the Otter Slide (SF) without a life jacket. The Yard Arm, the Blob and the diving boards with a life jacket. May also boat with a counselor or friend who has a black or white band. May water ski and tube.
Assessment
To earn a white band swimmers must be able to plunge into more than five feet of water and resurface unassisted, tread water for 30 seconds and swim 100 yards with rhythmic breathing using specific strokes, such as freestyle, breaststroke or backstroke.
Pool and Lake Access
May swim at all depths.
Elements and Activities Access
The Zipline, the Blue Zoom, the Yard Arm, the diving boards and the Otter Slide (SF). May boat with a counselor, alone or with a friend who has a purple, black or white swim band. May water ski and tube.
Boating
Our campers can easily spend half a day or more on the wide waters of the Neuse River learning to sail, powerboat, fish or water ski. Strong swimming skills and ability are important to becoming proficient and safe on boats.
Pool and Swim Lake
Both camps have outdoor pools and chlorinated swim lakes for campers to enjoy. There are ziplines, blobs, diving boards, inflatables and water slides as well. Swimming is a daily activity for everyone.
