Kentuckiana
Hunter
Kentuckiana Chapter - Safari Club International
Kentuckiana
Hunter
Kentuckiana Chapter - Safari Club International
Fall 2006 / Page 14
4-H ATV Safety Workshop
by
Tom Hebert
| On 9-23-06 the Clark County, Indiana 4-H Program
in cooperation with Conservation Officers
from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
hosted an ATV Safety Workshop at the Clark
County Fairgrounds. The Kentuckiana Chapter
of SCI was one of the primary financial sponsors
for the program and Chapter Vice President
Tom Hebert attended the program. Despite
torrential rains the day and evening prior,
the show went on. The goal of the 4-H ATV Safety Workshop was to increase the practice of safe behaviors and attitudes among youth already operating ATV's in an attempt to reduce the number of ATV related accidents resulting in serious injuries, or death. Emphasis was also placed on helping adults make informed decisions about whether youth in their care should operate an ATV. Kentucky and Indiana have the highest ATV fatality rates in the US.
The program invited youths in grades 3 through 12 to participate in the program. The cost to the participants was a mere $5- each, or a $10- for two, or more youths in the same family. Nineteen youth ranging in age from 8-18 and several parents attended the program. Participants were taught to follow ATV Safety Institute Guidelines which state: youth must always wear a helmet, gloves, goggles, over the ankle boots and other protective gear such as a long sleeve shirt, which was provided free to each participant.
The workshop was administered by 4-H ATV certified instructors with two hours of classroom instruction taught by ICO Terry Allen from Crawford Co. ICO's Jim Schrek and Jim Hash from Harrison Co. helped with the course driving instruction. ICO Mark Farmer, public relations officer, was also on hand. Certified 4-H volunteer instructors, Brad Mertz (Harrison Co.), Gary Graf and Scott Jennings (Clark Co.), and Don Andres (Floyd Co.) helped with the practical instruction. Despite the steady downpour the instructors and youth enjoyed every minute of navigating the serpentine course. The supervised riding and instruction typically lasts 2-4 hours.
The very attentive group of youth benefited greatly from the program. Post tests showed that every youth was more aware of the importance of utilizing and wearing protective riding gear and had a much better understanding of how to ride appropriately including how to stop quickly if confronted with potential hazards. Bob Allen, Purdue Extension Educator-Clark Co. 4-H and lead organizer of the event repeatedly thanked Kentuckiana SCI for their support and offered to assist the chapter with a similar program, or other youth events. |
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