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 with a Swim Assessment when they arrive. With campers at the Swim Lake, pool, Canoe Lake and on the Neuse River, 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. Please note that the Swim Assessment is in darker lake water and must be done without goggles.
For example, campers with Red Bands need a counselor to join them on a Sunfish whereas campers with White Bands have more independence on the water. 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.
After earning a White 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 different colored swim band. 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.
Watch this video to learn more about the Swim Assessment.
Swim Bands
Assessment
Campers who cannot complete the plunge and treading water portions of the Swim Assessment will receive a Red Band.
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.
Element and Activity Access
Campers with a Red Band can access the Zipline and the Otter Slide (SF only) without a lifejacket and the Blue Zoom and Inflatable Fun elements with a lifejacket. Campers with Red Bands may go on boat rides with a counselor.
Assessment
To earn a Purple Band, campers 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
Element and Activity Access
Campers with a Purple Band can access the Zipline and the Otter Slide (SF only) without a lifejacket and the Blue Zoom and Inflatable Fun elements with a lifejacket. Campers with Purple Bands may go on a boat with a counselor or a friend who has a White Band. Water Skiing and Tubing is also available for campers with Purple Bands.
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.
Pool Access
May swim in up to 6 feet of water
Lake Access
May swim in up to 5 feet of water
Element and Activity Access
Campers with a Black Band can access the Zipline, Blue Zoom and the Otter Slide (SF only) without a lifejacket and must wear a lifejacket for the Yard Arm, Blob, Diving Board and Inflatable Fun elements. Campers with Black Bands may go on a boat with a counselor or friend who has a Black or White Band. Water Skiing and Tubing is also available for campers with Black Bands.
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
Element and Activity Access
Campers with a White Band can access the Zipline, Blue Zoom, Yard Arm, Diving Boards and the Otter Slide (SF only) without a lifejacket. All campers, regardless of band, must wear a lifejacket on the Blob and Inflatable Fun elements. Campers with White Bands may take out a boat alone, with a counselor or with a friend who has a Purple, Black or White Band. Water Skiing and Tubing is also available for campers with White Bands.
Boating
All campers have half a day, either the morning or afternoon activity period, designated to spending time on the "Sea," the wide waters of the Neuse River, learning to sail, powerboat, fish or waterski. Strong swimming skills and ability are important to becoming proficient and safe while boating.
Campers can also visit Paddle Sports during their "Land Time" each day, where they can take out canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.
Pool and Swim Lake
Both Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer have outdoor pools and chlorinated Swim Lakes for campers to enjoy, as well as various aquatic elements including the Zipline, Blob, Yard Arm, diving boards, Inflatable Fun and water slides (some elements have swim band requirements).
Swimming is a daily activity for everyone, as each camper has a designated swimming time each day.
