Westchester County Parks Offers Lifeguard Certification Scholarships for 2025

By Harlan Elio | With credit to Robert Cox


A New Wave of Opportunity for Aspiring Lifeguards

In a landmark initiative to foster youth employment and enhance community safety, Westchester County Parks, in collaboration with the Westchester Parks Foundation, has unveiled a scholarship program for the 2025 summer season.

This program, designed to offer a pathway into public service, will fully fund lifeguard certification courses for 10 local students aged 15 and older. These scholarships are more than just financial aidthey represent an investment in leadership, safety, and youth development in Westchester County.

Lifeguarding: A Launchpad for Lifelong Skills

Being a lifeguard isnt just about sitting in a high chair by the water. Its about responsibility, vigilance, and the ability to respond under pressure. Lifeguards serve as first responders, leaders, and community protectors. Through rigorous certification, they are trained in CPR, emergency response, and aquatic rescueskills that are transferable beyond the summer months and useful in any walk of life.

County Executive Ken Jenkins highlighted this when he stated, The lifeguards at our pools and beaches are taught innumerable and valuable skills that will behoove them for the rest of their lives. These are individuals who take on leadership roles, grow in confidence, and develop a commitment to public service.

Removing Barriers to Entry

One of the key challenges many teens face in accessing lifeguarding jobs is the cost of certification courses, which can run into several hundred dollars. This scholarship program removes that barrier. The funding will cover every aspect of the course, allowing selected applicants to focus on their training and development without worrying about finances.

Students interested in applying must submit a compelling 250-word essay outlining their motivation to become a Westchester County Parks lifeguard. Essays should reflect personal values, goals, and how the role aligns with their future aspirations. Applications are to be submitted via email to PRC-Aquatics@westchestercountyny.gov by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4. Winners will be announced by email on April 11.

A Sense of Purpose Beyond the Paycheck

Beyond the opportunity to earn, the role of a lifeguard builds character. Parks Commissioner Kathy OConnor emphasized this, saying, Our lifeguards are the mainstays for safe summer fun at our pools and beaches. These young adults are not just employees; they are role models, entrusted with public safety, and given responsibilities that many adults never experience in their early careers.

Moreover, many past lifeguards have gone on to careers in public health, emergency medicine, law enforcement, and educationprofessions where the foundational skills learned poolside often prove invaluable.

Real Jobs at Real Facilities

Scholarship recipients wont just walk away with a certificatethey will be placed at one of Westchester Countys premiere recreational sites. These include:

• Croton Point Beach in Croton-on-Hudson

• Glen Island Beach in New Rochelle

• Playland Beach and Pool in Rye

• Saxon Woods Pool in White Plains

• Sprain Ridge Pool and Tibbetts Brook Pool in Yonkers

• Willsons Woods Pool in Mount Vernon

Each location offers a unique working environment, allowing lifeguards to experience dynamic public interactions, diverse aquatic settings, and the camaraderie of working in team-based operations.

Community Investment Through Empowerment

Joe Stout, Executive Director of the Westchester Parks Foundation, commented, Westchester Parks Foundation believes that parks are for everyone. This sentiment underscores the initiatives inclusive nature. The scholarship opens doors to underrepresented and economically disadvantaged youth, ensuring that no young adult is left out of an opportunity to grow simply because they cannot afford a course.

The Foundations partnership with Westchester County Parks exemplifies a proactive approach to addressing staffing shortages while fostering equity in public service opportunities.

A Vision for Expansion and Impact

Though the 2025 scholarship will begin with just 10 slots, this initiative may serve as a model for broader programs across New York State and even nationally. If successful, future versions could include mentorship pairings with seasoned lifeguards, year-round training academies, or even a pipeline into EMT and public safety careers.

Schools, community centers, and youth advocacy groups are encouraged to promote the scholarship widely, particularly to students showing interest in health, sports, or civic leadership.

How to Apply and Stand Out

Students applying should treat their essay as more than a formalityits their audition. Tips for a standout submission include:

• Share personal stories of leadership or challenges overcome

• Highlight community involvement or past volunteer work

• Express a clear desire to contribute to public safety

• Demonstrate awareness of the roles responsibilities

Judges will likely favor applicants who show maturity, purpose, and an understanding of what it means to be a guardian of public spaces.

Conclusion: A Lifesaving Summer of Purpose

This scholarship initiative is a win-win for everyone involved. Students gain a valuable, potentially life-changing job; the public enjoys safe and well-staffed facilities; and the county builds a stronger, more inclusive civic workforce.

Westchester County has made it clear: theyre not just hiring lifeguardstheyre cultivating leaders. This summer, a few driven young people will get their first real taste of responsibility, and with it, the first building blocks of their future careers.

About the Author:

Harlan eliois a civic development enthusiast and youth empowerment advocate. Passionate about community-driven leadership and local government initiatives, he writes regularly about opportunities for youth advancement, public policy, and inclusive education programs.