Eleven Cook County youths got a good start to a safe summer by taking Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ATV safety training. Students studied safe and ethical riding with a DNR CD and in the classroom and then completed training with a field test. This year’s attendees were (L-R, front) Jaymie Kirk, Kasey Johnson, Abby Crawford. (L-R, back) Isaak Terrill, Jamie Johnson, Selien Morawitz, Lauren Thompson, Jaden Grivette, Trent Spry, Masen McKeever.
Anyone born after July 1, 1987, who operates an ATV on public lands in Minnesota, must successfully complete the independent study ATV Safety Training CD course. Youth ages 11-15 must complete the ATV CD Course and riding component before riding on public lands. According to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers, it’s not only the law; it’s a good idea. The DNR and the Cook County ATV Club want everyone to ride safely, which is why they collaborate with Cook County Community Education to offer Youth ATV Safety, which was held this year on May 14 and May 17.
Students complete the course through CD at home and then have classroom review and a written test and then a field test. Eleven youths took part this year, which was good, but the safety instructors would like to see more kids. “We congratulate them, but hope to see more kids next year,” said DNR volunteer Chuck Silence, adding, “But we will do this if only one kid turns out. If this helps one kid be a safe rider, it’s worth it.”
A student practices her backing up skills under the watchful eyes of DNR Conservation Officer Tom Wahlstrom.
Long-time Safety Instructor Dick Parker agreed, reiterating what he has said every year. “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 Parker.
“That’s why it is so important to catch kids when they are young to teach them about safe and ethical riding.”
The students completing the 2014 training were Masen McKeever, Abbey Crawford, Leif Anderson, Trent Spry, Jaymie Kirk, Jayden Grivette, Issac Terrill, Jamie Johnson, Kasey Johnson, Lauren Thompson and Selien Morawitz.
Instructors were Conservation Officers Mary Manning, Tom Wahlstrom, and Darin Fagerman and volunteer instructors Chuck Silence, Gideon Silence and Dick Parker.
Steve’s Sports in Grand Marais and the Cook County ATV Club donated the use of the ATVs for the field test.
The Cook County ATV Club also provides scholarships for the $10 fee for families that cannot afford the class, gives the successful students an ATV Club T-shirt and sponsors a pizza party after the field test. This pizza party is always a hit and gives kids, parents, volunteer instructors, and DNR Conservation Officers the opportunity to get to know one another.
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