ESCANABA — The Northern Lights YMCA will host a Safe Sitter® training course on Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Delta Center, located at 2000 N. 30th Street in Escanaba.

Designed for students in grades six through eight and youth ages 11 and older, Safe Sitter® is a nationally recognized program that helps young people gain the skills and confidence needed to stay home alone safely, care for younger siblings and begin babysitting responsibly.

Through engaging games, hands-on activities and role-playing exercises, participants will learn practical skills they can apply in real-life situations. Students will also practice rescue techniques on manikins and receive a handbook to take home for future reference.

The course covers five key areas:

* Safety Skills – Preventing unsafe situations and responding to emergencies such as power outages and severe weather.

* Child Care Skills – Understanding child development, managing behavior, and practicing age-appropriate caregiving techniques, including diapering.

* First Aid and Rescue Skills – Learning how to assess injuries and illnesses and perform choking rescue techniques.

* Life and Business Skills – Building confidence through lessons on screening babysitting jobs, discussing fees, and communicating professionally with parents.

* Newborn and Infant Care – Developing essential caregiving skills for younger children.

“Safe Sitter provides young people with valuable life skills that help them become responsible, capable caregivers,” said YMCA Youth, Family, & Sports Director Raquel Schon. “Participants leave the class feeling more confident and prepared to handle a variety of situations safely.”

Registration is open through June 18. A pizza lunch is included with registration.

Space is limited, so those interested in the class are encouraged to register early.

For more information or to register, visit the Northern Lights YMCA website or contact the Delta Center at (906) 789-0005.