By Volunteer Harriet Vanderbilt

Nearly fifty years ago, Chaplain Greg Kaminski began volunteering at the Red Cross as a water safety/lifeguard instructor.  He continues to train instructors for numerous camps, schools and organizations.   He uses his Red Cross background in working with the Coast Guard personnel.  The Red Cross works together to guarantee excellence in water safety for so many organizations.

As a seasoned Red Cross volunteer and Lifeguard Instructor Trainer, Greg has trained instructors at the University of Oregon, the Eugene YMCA, Lane Community College, camps and other organizations in Oregon.  Several of his instructors have conducted lifesaving and CPR classes to the City of Eugene over 40 years.

While the Red Cross and the Coast Guard have different training procedures, they both teach basic water safety, lifesaving, first aid and CPR skills.  Many Coast Guard personnel have CPR and lifesaving training to help them in their rescues.  Coast Guard rescue teams rely on their Red Cross developed skills to expertly and quickly help save lives.  Red Cross-based training is a gold standard with many first responders.

In July of 2024, Greg was appointed as an ACS Chaplain for the Northwest Region, District 13, of the Coast Guard.  This district is comprised of the states of Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho.   Greg covers 3 stations in the Sector Columbia River of this district-Siuslaw River, Yaquina Bay and Depoe Bay.  Kaminski is one of 100+ Chaplains in the worldwide Auxiliary Chaplain Support corps.

“Once or twice a month, I leave my Eugene home early in the morning, drive to the coast, and head to my stations to visit with the crews.  I enjoy touching base with the Coast Guard personnel.  It’s such a joy to be a member of the great Coast Guard family and to be their Chaplain.  Many times, my wife, Janie accompanies me.  She loves to get to know the crews and to bring the “Coasties” cookies!”

Greg and Janie Kaminski moved to Eugene, Oregon from Greenville, South Carolina in 1979 and founded the Westside Baptist Church in Eugene. Camp Northwest became a reality shortly after.   Pastor Kaminski, as a youth, had been “called to the ministry at a small camp in Michigan” and felt that the Northwest “needed a good camp for young people to find Christ and to discern the Lord’s will for their lives”.

Camp Northwest was initially based in Springfield, Oregon.  After 8 years, the camp moved to a new location about 45 minutes from Eugene. Due to increasing popularity, the camp outgrew its location and moved again.  In 1988, the camp relocated to Mossyrock, WA.  Camp Northwest continues to serve parishioners from over 50 churches.

To this day, the 2-week summer camping sessions employ many staff, including some second and third generation campers.  Many of the lifeguards and instructors Greg has trained over the years continue to serve their communities in water rescue skills.  It is through the ongoing Red Cross training that this is made possible.

This is just one success story from decades of Red Cross training. Each year, we train over 40,000 people in CPR and First Aid skills. To learn more about how to take the Red Cross training or become part of our team, please visit www.redcross.org.take-a-class