A cold day for 2011 snowmobile safety training

Conservation Officer Mary Manning explains the course to a snowmobile safety student. In addition to driving, students learn about a variety of topics such as winter survival, snowmobile regulations, courtesy and ethics.

Twenty-nine youths ages 12 to 15 participated in the 2011 Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Safety Training. The training included work in the classroom and a very cold day at the old airfield on Devil Track Lake. Students were required to pass both a written exam and field test covering a variety of topics that included winter survival, snowmobile regulations, driving skills, courtesy, and ethics.

All students passing the course received their temporary permits and a copy of the new state snowmobile laws.

Successfully completing the training were Leif Anderson, Wyatt Baker, Jazzmine Blackwell, Korey Bockovich, Kya Brazell, Aaron Breitsprecher, Jesse Breitsprecher, Michael Burton, Brandon Curtis, Connor Franks, Colton Furlong, Austen Graham, Joe James, Amy Lacina, Daphne Lacina, Julia Larsen, Harleigh Lindquist, Ezra Lunde, Everett Morawitz, Selien Morawitz,

Caleb Phillips, Alicia Smith,

Jasmine Smith, Riley Somnis,

Hannah VanderHeiden, Jack

There was a record number of youths ages 12 – 15 taking part in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Safety Training in December. The training consists of several days of work in the classroom and then a field day during which students get the chance to operate a snowmobile under the watchful eye of DNR safety instructors.

Viren, Kyle Wiegele, Bradley

Wilson Jr., Damian Zimmer.

As of October 1, 2002 any resident born after December 31, 1976 must have a safety certificate to operate a snowmobile anywhere in Minnesota.

This program would not be available to our county’s youth without the support of the certified snowmobile safety instructors who volunteer their services to teach this course. This year’s instructors were Eric Nelms, lead instructor; Kim Linnell, Charles Silence, Aaron Schmidt, Steve Lashinski, and Dick Parker. The DNR conservation officers taking part were Darin Fagerman, Mary Manning and Tom Wahlstrom.