An important part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources youth ATV safety training is getting to know how an all-terrain vehicle operates. Volunteer instructor Gideon Silence talks to last year’s class before the field test. Youths can sign up for the 2015 class now.
The Cook County ATV Club reminds parents that an ATV Safety Training course is available in May for students, ages 11 – 15. Sign up now for a safe summer!
The course is part independent study and part field test. When students sign up, they receive a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) CD to study for the written test and field test.
A review and the written test will be held Wednesday, May 13 at 3:45 p.m. at Cook County High School. After passing the test, students participate in a field test, Saturday, May 16 at the old Grand Marais airport site (by Devil Track Landing).
Participants do not have to provide their own ATVs or helmets, those are provided by Steve’s Sports of Grand Marais and local ATV Club members.
There is a $10 fee, payable to Community Education. The Cook County ATV Club provides scholarships to any youths who cannot pay the fee.
All students who successfully complete the safety training are also treated to a pizza party with the DNR and volunteer instructors and receive a Cook County ATV Club T-shirt.
Safety Instructor Chuck Silence encourages parents to have their kids take this course. “Statistics show that 47 percent of all persons involved in ATV accidents are in their teens, 10-19 years old. The major cause of accidents is rollovers and hitting fixed objects. Speed is frequently the cause,” said Silence. “That’s why it is so important to catch kids when they are young to teach them about safe and ethical riding.”
“Just because you don’t own an ATV doesn’t mean your kid doesn’t need the training,” said Silence. “There are more ATVs in the state than snowmobiles— you want them to be prepared to ride just in case they have the chance at a neighbor or friend’s house.”
Call (218) 387-2000 for more information. All registration forms and payment must be returned to Community Education by May 7.
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