Deerfield Park District pools earn prestigious Starfish award

The Starfish Aquatics Institute awarded Deerfield Park District the prestigious Five Star Award following a risk management audit in 2014. Recreation Supervisor of Youth, Cultural Arts and Aquatics Adam Wohl accepted the award on behalf of Deerfield Park District.

"Very few aquatic facilities qualify to receive this honor," SAI President Leslie Donavan said. "It represents a tremendous commitment to safety and training, and exceptional performance by the lifeguard staff on duty at the time."

The audits were performed at both Mitchell and Deerspring pools.

SAI is one of the largest lifeguard, swim instructor and pool operator certifying agencies in the United States. The Institute offers state-of-the-art training courses and also provides risk management services to the aquatic industry.

In partnership with Human Kinetics, the world's leading publisher for the activity field, the institute offers state-of-the-art training textbooks, and multimedia online resources.

"We are very proud to have the Deerfield Park District as a member of the SAI family and that they have chosen to train their staff using our programs," Donavan said. "We also commend them for participating in the StarReview risk management audit program and believe our focus on professionalism and accountability gives our providers the opportunity to lead the industry in effective and safe programming."

Founded by Jill White, a renowned aquatics expert, SAI uses an integrated experiential approach to learning. All SAI training programs incorporate this innovative technique.

Deerfield Park District is using the StarGuard Lifeguard Certification program and now the Starfish Swimming Lesson program.

Starfish Swim School (for ages 3 and older) and StarBabies/Tots (ages 6 months to 3 years) weekend lessons begin Saturday, June 20, and weekday lessons begin June 22. To sign up for these swim lessons, for availability of additional age group lessons or to purchase a pool pass for the summer (early bird pool rates end May 31), visit deerfieldparks.org or call (847) 945-0650.

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