Using funds from a WRCF Summer Youth Mini Grant, the Coos-Curry Electric Charitable Foundation (Coos-Curry Electric Co-op Inc.) provided 20 Curry County youth with bicycle helmets, snacks and lunch as they participated in the second annual Kids Safety Camp on Saturday, June 1.
The children rode peddle cars on simulated street scenes to learn about pedestrian and cycle safety. Also, they learned about electrical safety, watched a demonstration by Officer Zane VanZelf of the Brookings Police K-9 Unit, and learned about water safety from Curry County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue member Luke Martinez. The dangers of fire and importance of having an home evacuation plan were shared by Gold Beach firefighters, and information about gun safety and how to make 911 calls were discussed. A Cal-Or Life Flight helicopter landed on a field and performed a simulated loading of an injured person.
The day ended with closing ceremony where each child received a bag of safety-related items and a goodie bag from Umpqua Bank. On boy and one girl received a new bicycle when their names were drawn.
It is fantastic youth programs such as this that WRCF’s mini grants were designed.