LEWISTON – The YWCA of Central Maine will hold its annual aquatic school and a baby-sitting course. Courses being offered are lifeguard certification, including CPR for the professional rescuer and first aid, water safety instructor certification, CPR for the professional rescuer review, lifeguard review, lifeguard instructor and fundamentals of instructor training.

All classes offered are American Red Cross courses. Most certification courses being offered require a screening of skills.

Lifeguard certification participants must be 15 or older. The course is designed to provide the minimum necessary skills training for an individual to qualify as a lifeguard. CPR for the professional rescuer and first aid certification are included.

Lifeguard review participants must hold current lifeguard and CPR for the professional rescuer certification. The course is designed to allow lifeguards to renew lifeguard certification and first aid for three years and CPR for the professional rescuer for one year.

CPR for the professional rescuer review participants must hold current CPR for the professional rescuer. The course is designed to allow current holders to renew their CPR for the professional rescuer for a year.

Lifeguard instructor participants must be a minimum of 17 and hold current lifeguard, CPR for the professional rescuer and fundamentals of instructor training certifications. The course is designed to train current lifeguards to teach community water safety and lifeguard courses.

Water safety instructor participants must be a minimum of 16 and hold a current FIT certification. The course is designed to train instructors to teach all levels of American Red Cross learn to swim and water safety aid courses.

Fundamentals of instructor training participants must be a minimum of 16. The course is designed to introduce the history, structure and activities of the American Red Cross, prepare instructor candidates to teach Red Cross specialty courses to diverse populations and teach the policies and procedures of the Red Cross to ensure course consistency, quality and appropriate reporting.

The YWCA will offer an American Red Cross baby-sitting course from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, May 1, 8, 15 and 22.

The course is designed for youth ages 11 to 15 to receive training and practice skills in feeding, playing with and caring for infants and children. Training also includes information on the prevention of accidents and how to respond to emergencies, illnesses, injuries and upset children.

For more information about these and other YWCA programs, call, stop by at 130 East Ave. or check the Web at www.ywcamaine.org.