Campers were learning about safety in July.

Executive Director and Primary Instructor Yvonne Harder with the Eastman Safety Training Centre in Steinbach says this was the first year the camp ran and she would like to expand it into surrounding communities next year. Harder explains the first week was five to eight year olds and the second week was nine to thirteen year olds. She adds the curriculum is adapted to each age group so the campers are able to catch on and understand the safety lessons.

Steinbach Fire Prevention Officer Cindi Klassen-Krahn teaching the campers about fire safety. Who has ever burnt a marshmallow during a bon fire?"I find that the five to eight just want to play a lot," says Harder when asked how the campers related to the safety lessons. "So we have to really make everything a lot of fun. We do a lot more arts and crafts and playing outside. Whereas when we're dealing with the nine to thirteen year olds, they do catch on a little bit better and they have a lot more questions that are more in-depth. They can relate to personal experiences at that point which really makes it a more useful learning experience."

Ten year old Vivian Winslade and Erin Whitham say they really enjoyed being able to learn more about how to stay safe. Teen assistants twelve year old Zack Harder and fourteen year old Colin Trenaman say one of their favourite parts was being able to learn CPR.

"I would like to come back because we get to do this really fun thing where we use fatal vision goggles which impairs our vision," says Trenaman. "I just like volunteering a lot and feel this is a good opportunity. [Safety training will be helpful in the future with] welding. You have to learn how to be safe with the welder and all those tools."

Harder says the campers are able to listen to speakers throughout the week from the Steinbach Fire Hall, Safety Services Manitoba, MPI, War Amps of Canada and the Red Cross.

During the week campers were able to learn about first aid including CPR and how to use an AED, babysitting, conflict resolution, bullying prevention, cyber safety education and traffic safety, among a few other topics.

"Now-a-days cyber safety, so internet safety, personal safety and anti-bullying, all of those types of topics are really important because they're more prevalent in our society and in our schools," explains Harder. "It's important for kids to know that they do need to be protected when they're on the internet. Cyber bullying and bullying in person is still something that's out there, and really, we need to raise awareness."