4/10/2023
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 2023 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 2023 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:
WaterFront Lakeside Grille – Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 – 9 AM – 2 PM Lake: Clearwater Lake
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft2
Wilson Park – Friday, July 28th, 2023 – 8 AM – 1 PM River: Mississippi River
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft3
Bug-Bee Hive Resort – Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 – 9 AM – 2 PM Lake: Koronis Lake
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft4
The Historic Rock Tavern – Friday, August 11th, 2023 – 8 AM – 1 PM Lake: Big Birch Lake
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft5.
Shady’s Long Shots Golf Course – Friday, August 25th, 2023 – 7 AM – 12 PM Lake: Cold Spring & Richmond Chain of Lakes
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft6
Pelican Lake Ballroom – Wednesday, August 30th, 2023 – 9 AM – 2 PM Lake: Pelican Lake
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft7
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:
WaterFront Lakeside Grille – Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 – 9 AM – 2 PM Lake: Clearwater Lake
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft2
Wilson Park – Friday, July 28th, 2023 – 8 AM – 1 PM River: Mississippi River
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft3
Bug-Bee Hive Resort – Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 – 9 AM – 2 PM Lake: Koronis Lake
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft4
The Historic Rock Tavern – Friday, August 11th, 2023 – 8 AM – 1 PM Lake: Big Birch Lake
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft5.
Shady’s Long Shots Golf Course – Friday, August 25th, 2023 – 7 AM – 12 PM Lake: Cold Spring & Richmond Chain of Lakes
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft6
Pelican Lake Ballroom – Wednesday, August 30th, 2023 – 9 AM – 2 PM Lake: Pelican Lake
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABAF23ABF9C07-watercraft7
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