Safety Town returns to Barrington this summer

The Barrington Junior Women's Club is getting ready to spend another summer preparing kids for the dangers they will encounter while growing up.

The Women's Club is once again offering its Safety Town program for kids entering kindergarten and first grade. The program has been offered since 1975.

During the two-week educational camp, the kids learn about a variety of issues, including pedestrian, motorist, fire, bicycle, water, poison, electrical, animal and playground safety. Stranger danger is also a topic.

Barrington Deputy Police Chief Jerry Libit said local officers help to teach the classes, which he finds to be valuable for kids.

"I think it really teaches them good safety habits," Libit said.

The program's permanent home, outside the Health World Children's Museum, is built like a miniature town to allow the kids some real practice at what is taught in the class.

Junior Women's Club member Danielle Schneider said besides developing safe kids, the goal is to make sure they can teach what they learn to their friends.

"Once they learn these things, they can become examples for other children in the community," Schneider said.

Safety Town is scheduled for June 16-27 and July 14-25. Class times are 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 to 3 p.m.

There is a $100 enrollment fee, however Schneider said scholarships are available based on financial need.

Registration starts April 12, between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m., at the Barrington Public Safety Facility, with mail-in and online registration beginning the next day.

For more information, call (847) 622-3838 or visit www.bjwc.org.