South Georgia Medical Center and the Valdosta-Lowndes County YMCA are teaming up to offer one-day Safe Sitter courses for boys and girls in grades 6-8 this summer. Classes are scheduled for June 2, 5, 7, 22, 26, and 27 from 8:30am-3:30pm in the SGMC B-Level Classrooms.  The cost of the course is $50 per child and registration is limited to 20 students per class.  

Safe Sitter® is a national, non-profit organization that provides programs to teach middle school students life and safety skills for when they are home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. The medically-accurate course utilizes hands-on training to teach choking rescue and CPR principles so that graduates are prepared to act during a crisis. Most young teens lack the knowledge of first aid, rescue skills, behavior management techniques, and life experiences necessary for handling medical, behavioral, or household emergencies that might occur. 

Participants of this course learn safety and security precautions and other tips that help develop their confidence in caregiving. They also learn safe and effective ways to promote their babysitting business.   

"We are thrilled to partner with the YMCA to offer the Safe Sitter course again this summer," said Kara Hope Hanson, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist. "SGMC realizes the importance of teaching children these crucial life skills, and we want to be a trusted resource for health and wellness education for all ages."  

SGMC has partnered with the YMCA to offer Safe Sitter since 1991. Enrollment can be completed online at www.sgmc.org/safesitter.