Changing of the Guards: Retired Educator Soaks Up Final Days with his ‘kids’

This time of year is always bittersweet for Tim Crawley and his White Water lifeguards as another unforgettable summer comes to an end.

Tim, the park’s Aquatics Supervisor, knows the mixed emotions that accompany kids returning to the classroom.

He spent 28 years in education in the Ozarks, teaching social studies in Stockton and Forsyth and later serving as principal in Stockton and Neosho. He also worked at the water park for 27 of those summers. In a way, he says, White Water is like a 13-acre classroom with 140 students.

“It’s certainly a super-size version of a normal school day but the goals for my guards are still the same,” he smiles. “I get to mentor these kids about what having a job is about. They learn responsibility, how to get along with all sorts of personalities, and gain an understanding about how their actions and reactions matter in the workplace.”

His own understanding of young minds helped shape his leadership style. Some staff still see him as a teacher, but others look up to Tim as a father figure.

“I don’t take that lightly,” he says. “They all know my leadership is about love and respect. Even when I have to get onto them about something, they know it’s coming from my heart to make them better. If they make a mistake, they know we’ll work through it together.”

Tim definitely considers himself a proud ‘Dad’ when lifeguards return each summer.

“I absolutely love seeing the personal growth in them from season to season,” he beams. “The kids they are today aren’t the same kids they will be in five or ten years. So many of them stick with me and even move into leadership roles. One of the neatest things ever is witnessing that progression and cheering them on.”

It’s that encouragement and family culture that hooked Tim almost three decades ago.

“Once this company gets in your blood, you just never leave,” he laughs. “I’ve had great leaders at every turn through the years. So many amazing folks poured into me. Now, I have the privilege of pouring into these young adults. If someone on our team is hurting, leaders are hurting alongside them. If they’re sick, we’re checking in to make sure they’re okay. These kids come back year after year because they know we genuinely care about them. You don’t find that everywhere.”

Shortly after the season ends on Sept. 2, Tim and his team will already be looking ahead to 2025. They’ll start recruiting the next “class” in the wintertime when we’re all just dreaming of warmer weather.

“Before you know it, we’ll be back together again,” he smiles. “We’ll be rooting them on this school year and missing them. Some will swing by to see us over their Christmas break, and that does our hearts good too. We really are a lucky bunch.”