Safe Boating Camp for 6 – 8th grade students
The North Central Ohio Safe Boating Council will offer a boating safety education program this summer for sixth through eighth -grade students. The council has an agreement to offer the Spirit of America curriculum in the Mansfield area. The nationally recognized program, known as Spirit of America (SOA), provides students both classroom and on-the-water sessions to teach safe boating skills.
Participants will take the Ohio Boating Education Course the first day of the camp.. This meets the Ohio law that requires” any person born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, to show proof they have completed an approved boating course if they are operating a power boat over 10 horsepower. “This OBEC class is mandatory and students must attend the class and pass an exam. Students will receive a card from ODNR stating that they have passed the class. Students must be registered for the camp to take the class.
The on-the-water sessions involve a drowning prevention and equipment orientation session to help students understand the importance of wearing life jackets and to learn how to upright overturned sailboats, kayaks and canoes in a safe environment. The on-the water sessions will be held at the Mansfield Sailing Club at Clear Fork Reservoir where students will be receive hands-on instruction in power boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, and personal watercraft, Boy Scouts can earn merit badges in canoeing, small boat sailing, motor boating, with some additional work.
The program is open to students who live in North Central Ohio. Registration will be held in April through June. The on-the-water sessions at the Mansfield Sailing Club will be held from 10 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 24 to Friday, June 28th.. There is a $60.00 registration fee. The maximum number of students accepted is thirty first come first served. For additional information or a brochure go to www.Mansfield.spiritofamerica95.orgor email Mansfield@spiritofamerica95.org.