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Stockton Recreation Division outlines spring classes, free lifeguard certification and youth hires
Summary
Stockton Recreation Supervisor Kathleen Bergman presented a spring schedule of programs, free lifeguard certification classes (March–June) and multiple seasonal hiring needs, and answered commissioners’ questions about scholarships and partner programming.
Kathleen Bergman, Stockton City Recreation Supervisor, told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Feb. 24 that the Recreation Division will roll out a wide slate of spring programs and is recruiting seasonal staff, including lifeguards, aquatics instructors and recreation leaders.
The spring schedule includes free lifeguard certification classes offered March through June, a hybrid format with online prework and a Friday-evening plus weekend in-person component. Bergman said the free certification is designed to bolster seasonal hiring: “The class is completely free,” Bergman said, adding the city hopes to hire graduates from the courses. The division also plans aquatics-instructor courses, a junior lifeguard program this summer, and non‑certified aquatics assistants to support lessons.
Why it matters: the Recreation Division’s hires will staff reopening pools, youth camps and expanded programming across multiple community centers and parks as several aquatic facilities and community centers come online this year.
Key offerings and logistics
- Hiring and positions: lifeguards (certification required), aquatics instructors (certification), aquatics assistants (no certification), recreation leaders I–V for after‑school programs and camps, scorekeepers and game managers for adult and youth sports, and a new parks labor position focused on field maintenance and rental prep.
- Lifeguard classes: offered March–June at rotating sites (Franklin, McNair, Edison listed in the presentation); an online portion must be completed before the in‑person sessions. Registration is online through city program registration.
- Teen and youth programs: Project Toolbox (a teen initiative covering financial literacy, trips and college-prep), Beats Boot Camp (intro to music production), First Tee Golf Academy (March 18–20 at Van Buskirk and Arnold sites), Spring Break day camps (March dates listed), and instructional classes such as painting, sewing, ballet, drone soccer and a new "Grown Up & Me" sensory/social class for adult-child pairs.
- Community events: Eggstravaganza (Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m.–noon, egg hunts at ~11:45 a.m.), job fair (May 17), teen trips (Exploratorium April 18; Science Academy May 10), and a repeat of the Bite of Reality financial simulation on March 6 at Stribley targeting ages 12–17.
- Mobile Recreation (Playmobil): the mobile unit will run spring break through fall break with a spring schedule (March 25–May 15, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4–6 p.m.) and special spring-break stops March 17–20.
- Fees and scholarships: Bergman said programs shown in red on the presentation were no‑fee offerings and that scholarships are available for fee‑based programs. For day‑discovery camps Bergman described a 25% reduction for a secondary sibling; other scholarship details are available on the city website.
Commission questions and follow-ups
Commissioners asked about target ages for the Bite of Reality session (Bergman said 12–17, with some 11‑ and 18‑year‑olds allowed), locations for lifeguard classes, and scholarship availability; Bergman said registration and scholarship information are posted online. Council member Padilla and Supervisor Guardia asked about programming in Western Ranch and potential school‑district partnerships for pools and lifeguard training; Bergman said the Recreation Division is negotiating summertime programming in Western Ranch and is open to further conversations with school districts but that expanded school‑district pool partnerships were unlikely for 2025 due to the city’s own pool openings in 2025 and staff capacity for 2026.
How to register and contact
Bergman said registration links, course dates and the Playmobil schedule are available on the city’s Recreation Division web pages. The division is recruiting for multiple seasonal positions and listed lifeguard certification as a direct recruitment pathway into seasonal employment.
Ending note: Bergman closed by thanking the commission and inviting further questions by email or through the Recreation Division’s online pages.
