 Safety Camp Opening Ceremony
Nearly 150 local fourth graders enjoyed two days of fun, learning and sunshine in July at the 14th annual Blaine Safety Camp, a comprehensive educational program organized by the Blaine Police, SBM Fire and City of Blaine Parks and Recreation departments. The camp is designed to reduce the number of accidents and injuries among young children while providing the skills needed to manage emergency situations.
Safety Camp 2010 was held July 21 and 22 at SBM Fire Station 3 in Blaine, a hub for emergency-response activity where fire, police and medical emergency vehicles provided the perfect backdrop for an event stressing the importance of safe decisions to young people.
McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey the Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog welcomed children and families to Safety Camp at an opening reception. Campers, divided into six colored teams, were then introduced to their new teammates and camp counselors.
The counselors – firefighters, paramedics, police offers and Parks and Recreation staff from local departments – were invaluable contributors to the Safety Camp experience. Their guidance and enthusiasm fostered a fun learning environment that put campers at ease and enabled them to absorb as much educational material as possible. In a twist, the professional identity of each counselor was withheld from the kids to set up a surprise reveal at the awards ceremony at the end of camp.
After the welcome reception, campers jumped right into the day’s activities. Team building games were followed by a self defense and personal safety primer and a rousing fire safety discussion by an energetic member of the SBM Fire Department.
Reenergized by a pizza lunch, campers were fitted for brand new bike helmets by safety services experts before blowing off some steam by dancing and rocking to music from a live deejay.
Day One afternoon educational sessions kicked off with a hands-on first aid/home safety tutorial and an electrical safety demonstration provided by Connexus Energy. A third session featured Don Bania, Jr., a quadriplegic who taught himself to draw with his mouth. Don wowed the audience by drawing a picture of Sponge Bob Squarepants, identifying his “I can” mantra as motivation for success. Upon completing his drawing, Don revealed that he designed and drew the Safety Camp logo found on campers’ shirts.
To end the day, a Minnesota State Highway Patrol helicopter landed at the fire station. Campers inspected the helicopter, asked questions and posed for pictures before heading home after a busy day.
Campers began Day Two at an animal safety presentation. A local animal expert brought a golden retriever, bull snake, raccoon, desert fox and skink to share with the crowd. After an internet safety course, campers watched a criminal apprehension demonstration by the Blaine Police Department’s K-9 Unit. Afterward, campers were able to meet K-9 Gunner up close and personal.
Following a hamburger lunch, campers headed to Foss Swim School for two hours of water safety instruction. Afterward, back at the fire station, campers heard a presentation about brain injury prevention from a local teenager named Drew who suffered a brain injury in a bicycle accident in the fall of 2008. He advocated the importance of wearing a helmet when participating in activities on wheels like biking or skateboarding. Campers also completed activities that exhibited the difficulties those with brain injuries have performing everyday tasks. To end the afternoon, campers and families enjoyed a show by magician Brian Richards titled “Drugs Steal the Magic.”
Inside the high school auditorium, campers were recognized for their hard work with a medal and certificate proclaiming successful completion of Safety Camp.
Blaine Safety Services thanks the many employees, volunteers and sponsors for making Safety Camp 2010 an extraordinary success. A special thank you also goes out to all the campers for their enthusiastic participation.
Look for information about Safety Camp 2011 in the Parks and Recreation Department’s Recreation Connection next spring.
Thank you to the many sponsors whose support made Safety Camp 2010 possible: Allina Medical Transportation; Big Bell Ice Cream; Blainbrook Bowl; Blaine High School; Blaine Jaycees; Blaine Public Safety Association; Blaine Youth Hockey Association; Connexus Energy; Creating Community; Foss Swim School; McDonald’s of Blaine; Mercy and Unity Hospitals; Stanley & Patricia Peterson Family; Pizza Hut of Spring Lake Park; Pulte Holmes; SAFE KIDS Anoka County; Spring Lake Park Lions; Subway of Blaine; SuperMom;s Bakery of Super America; Village Bank – Blaine; Xcel Energy. | 
