Scroll down for a summary of this year's program, and a very interesting story involving a graduate from last year.

On March 6, 2010, twenty-eight students from Clarenville Middle School were certified as babysitters after completing a 4 month program in the Babysitting Club. The program covered a wide range of topics. Not only did students learn how to change and diaper a baby, they learned about feeding, playing with children, how to handle behaviour problems and what to do in an emergency. Students also completed basic first aid under the direction of Mr. Darryl Feener.

Instructors for the course were Ms. Stanford and Ms. Vey. "This is a great course for teaching pre-teens and teens the skills necessary for being a responsible babysitter and for being responsible in life", Ms. Stanford and Ms. Vey stated. "The students learn that they are in charge and the parents are depending on them to keep the children safe."

The St. John Ambulance program also recognizes that it is important that babysitters know how to handle all emergencies in a cool, calm manner. This program teaches how to handle all possible emergency situations - from fires to prowlers and from crank calls to injuries."

Just what did the youth think about the program? "I think this course is very important. It taught me a lot", one grade six stated in her evaluation. Another students stated: "The things we learned are useful in everyday life and not just for babysitting".

Students had to write a test and receive a grade above 75% in order to pass and receive a certificate. All students taking the course were successful with all marks over 92%.

Last year Keifer Kelly successfully completed the St. John’s Babysitting Course as part of the Babysitting Club in the school. Although he knew that the information learned would help him become a responsible babysitter, he did not realize that the information would also teach him how to help a brother in need.. That is exactly what Keifer did one day when his younger brother started choking while eating breakfast. Although mom admitted she panicked, Keifer remembered the first aid training he received when he was in the Babysitting Club. He stayed calm, put his arms around his brother and proceeded to perform the Heimlich manoeuver. A piece of bacon that was caught in his brother’s throat was dislodged. Mom reports that Keifer calmly sat down and continued to eat his breakfast, perhaps a little unaware of the significance of what he had just done. Congratulations Keifer on remembering what you learned and helping your brother when he was in need.