Beach Buddy Guidelines

Contact: Ride-A-Wave Staff

Email not available at this time, email rideawave1@yahoo.com

It's extremely important that the participant is never left alone, so this year we are pairing up each child with a volunteer. When you arrive, check in and let the Beach Director know that you are a "Beach Buddy." We will try to match you up with children before they arrive, but often changes are made that we don't know about until then. The Beach Director will write down who is assigned to whom. You will have a nametag with your name and your child's. (We may also try to get matching wrist guards or ties, but it may be difficult with so many children.) As "Beach Buddies," you will stay with the children throughout the day, greeting them at the top, taking them to the Lifeguard demonstration, helping them put on the gear (wetsuit, life vest & helmet) and suntan lotion, taking them to get their picture taking, guiding them to the Rambo Relay. You will also make sure they get their "goodie bag" at the end of the day.

If they want to participate in the water events, you will lead them to the waiting area, until they are taken to the surfboard, kayak or body board. Be sure that whatever group you turn the participant over to, they aknowledge that they are responable for the participant. If they're body boarding, cheer them on from the shore and make sure they land safely. If it's a nice day, maybe go barefoot, so that you can be at the end of the wave as the water comes in. Again, safety is our #1 concern. If they need to wait for their turn, wait with them. Engage them in conversation; treat them like any other child. If they want to stay on the beach, stay with them, even if they just want to sit on the sand. Try to get them involved in the beach activities, such as the balloon toss, if they don't want to go in the water.

While they are in the water kayaking or surfing, you have time to grab a snack and go to the rest room, but be quick; you need to be waiting for them on the shore when they return. Ideally, you will stay and cheer them on. You will also make sure they get lunch; they'll be in line with you. (Remember that the food is NOT for parents or other family members.)

You will retrieve their "goodie bag" at the end of the day from the Beach Director. Check the name and picture inside to make sure everything is correct. If you have a restroom emergency, make sure another volunteer has agreed to be responsible for your child(ren). Never leave them unsupervised, and you must stay until they leave, unless otherwise arranged with the Beach Director.

Please note!!

For your first camp, you will be paired up with an experienced volunteer, if possible. Depending on the number of volunteers and participants will determine the volunteer:child ratio. As much as we try very hard to keep the volunteer/participant to a one to one ratio, it might happen that you may have 2 volunteers per child, or up to 4 or 5 children per volunteer, while on the beach. One of the many reason that we strive to have volunteers only agree to be on the beach when they know that they can actually make it.

Last, but not least,...Your connection with this child will be very important, so remember to be a friend with a positive attitude; encourage them and help them feel like champions. The rewards will be enormous.