4/2024
Youth Watercraft Safety Course
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Department with the support of the Stearns County COLA has scheduled Boat and Watercraft Safety Education for youth ages 12-17. The course will include 4 hours of classroom training, a written test, and a short driving course on the water. The Minnesota DNR will grade the written tests and mail Watercraft Permits to those who have passed.
We will be providing classroom materials (pens, pencils, & scratch paper for notes) boats, and lunch for the students. The students need to bring a type I, II, or lll life jacket for the operating portion and sunscreen if they choose.
The Minnesota Boating Guide details age restriction for operation of watercraft on Minnesota lakes. More details can be found in the DNR 2024 Minnesota Boating Guide
Youth Watercraft Safety Course
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Department with the support of the Stearns County COLA has scheduled Boat and Watercraft Safety Education for youth ages 12-17. The course will include 4 hours of classroom training, a written test, and a short driving course on the water. The Minnesota DNR will grade the written tests and mail Watercraft Permits to those who have passed.
We will be providing classroom materials (pens, pencils, & scratch paper for notes) boats, and lunch for the students. The students need to bring a type I, II, or lll life jacket for the operating portion and sunscreen if they choose.
The Minnesota Boating Guide details age restriction for operation of watercraft on Minnesota lakes. More details can be found in the DNR 2024 Minnesota Boating Guide
We have scheduled 6 sessions this summer to include all youths who want to operate watercraft in compliance with the restriction detailed above. Dates for the training are 6/7, 7/28, 8/2, 8/11, 8/25. And 8/30. These classes fill up quickly with a limit of 20 students per class. Below are the locations and registration websites for each class.
Registration Websites:
Shady’s Long Shots Golf Course – June 5th, 2024 Cold Spring & Richmond Chain of Lakes
Link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training_class.html?id=76134
WaterFront Lakeside Grille – June 12th, 2024 – Clearwater Lake
Link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training_class.html?id=76140
Bug-Bee Hive Resort – June 19th, 2024 – Koronis Lake
Link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training_class.html?id=76157
Wilson Park – July 26th, 2024 – Mississippi River
Link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training_class.html?id=76158
Pelican Lake Ballroom – August 14th, 2024 – Pelican Lake
Link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training_class.html?id=76159
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact Jim Bartelme phone number listed below.
Brandon Merkling | Deputy Sheriff #2584
Stearns County Sheriff’s Office
807 Courthouse Square P.O. Box #217
Saint Cloud, Minnesota 56302
Jim Bartelme
President Stearns COLA
734-730-7421
Registration Websites:
Shady’s Long Shots Golf Course – June 5th, 2024 Cold Spring & Richmond Chain of Lakes
Link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training_class.html?id=76134
WaterFront Lakeside Grille – June 12th, 2024 – Clearwater Lake
Link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training_class.html?id=76140
Bug-Bee Hive Resort – June 19th, 2024 – Koronis Lake
Link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training_class.html?id=76157
Wilson Park – July 26th, 2024 – Mississippi River
Link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training_class.html?id=76158
Pelican Lake Ballroom – August 14th, 2024 – Pelican Lake
Link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/safety_training_class.html?id=76159
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact Jim Bartelme phone number listed below.
Brandon Merkling | Deputy Sheriff #2584
Stearns County Sheriff’s Office
807 Courthouse Square P.O. Box #217
Saint Cloud, Minnesota 56302
Jim Bartelme
President Stearns COLA
734-730-7421