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    Two hands-on ATV Safety Field Day Classes are scheduled in Walker for Saturday, June 10, 2023. They are a cooperative effort of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Woodtick Wheelers ATV Club. The classes will be held at the Walker Area Community Center (WACC), 105 Tower Avenue. Morning class is from 9 a.m. to noon and afternoon class is from 1 to 4 p.m. Each class includes classroom instruction and written quiz, followed by the hands-on riding portion of the class. Please arrive 45 minutes early to allow for unloading ATVs, check-in, and registration.

   Class requirements: Prior to the class, students must complete the DNR’s at-home self-study course, which is online at www.atvcourse.com/usa/minnesota/. Students should then print out their ATV Safety course voucher and bring it to the hands-on safety class to show proof they have completed the online self-study course. Those attending the class should provide their own Class 1 ATV (if they do not have one, a youth size ATV is available to use), wear long pants, long-sleeve shirt, gloves, and boots (no tennis shoes) and bring a DOT-approved helmet with goggles or face shield. Parents must sign a parent-release form and attend the class with their students.

   Pre-registration is required. To pre-register, contact Craig Wadzink, lead instructor with the Woodtick Wheelers, at 763-300-0094, email: [email protected].

   These ATV training classes are geared toward operators ages 10-15, but are open to adults as well. For 10 and 11 year olds, the ATV safety certificate becomes valid when they reach their 12th birthday. Students 12-15 who have achieved ATV Safety Certification can legally operate ATVs with these restrictions: The operator must fit the machine; must make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way; and operate on state lands and waters, only when accompanied by a person 18 or older who has a valid driver’s license.

   The Minnesota DNR reports a rise in the number of ATV-related injury accidents among older adults who are riding ATVs for the first time.  Adults who are new to ATV riding are also encouraged to take an ATV Safety Field Day Class. “ATV Safety Training and Education Saves Lives!”

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