North Country Hospital hosting “Bike Safety Rodeo” and ATV training for kids in April

NEWPORT — If you have kids, know kids or are a kid you’ll be interested to know that April is a busy month at North Country Hospital for activities that directly impact the safety of NEK children.

In an ongoing commitment to childhood injury prevention, the hospital is partnering with other organizations in order to highlight some of the ways our kids can stay safe while having a ton of fun pursuing their favorite outdoor activities.

On Saturday, April 16, North Country Hospital, in collaboration with Safe Kids Worldwide, the Village Bike Shop and community volunteers, will be hosting a Bike Rodeo from 9 a.m. – noon.

Kids of all ages are invited to bring their bikes and their helmets to the hospital parking lot on Prouty Drive and saddle up to practice riding skills and safety drills.

Kids will have a chance to maneuver through a slalom course, learn how to stop and go, how to look and listen and how to make sure their bikes are safe and ready to ride when they are.

After the rodeo, how about a ride down the bike path which is directly next to the hospital parking lot? The bike path is flat and wide and the perfect place to practice new skills and spend time with family and friends on the shores of Lake Memphremagog.

The Center for Disease Controls Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans says that children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day. “By teaching kids safe bicycling and pedestrian skills we can help them become more independent and more active, while having fun,” said Beth Barnes, Community Outreach Specialist for North Country Hospital.

Helmets will be available at the Bike Rodeo for a donation of $10.00. For questions about the Bike Rodeo, contact Beth Barnes at [email protected] or 802-334-3210 ext. 351.

For kids who like to ride on four wheels instead of two, North Country Hospital will be hosting a ½ day classroom ATV training course sponsored by VASA (Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association) on Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m. – noon.

This free course which teaches safe and responsible ATV operation is a requirement for all kids aged 12-17.

The V.E.S.T. (VASA Education and Safety Training) ATV safety course will provide your child with the state-approved, required safety certificate so you will know your young ATV rider is a safe and certified rider.

To register for the V.E.S.T. training, please contact Dani Cady at [email protected] or call 802-477-5075.