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Services
Safety Education
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers instructor-led and online safety education courses for boating, hunting, trapping, and snowmobiling. The objectives of the safety education programs are to teach the user to be safe, ethical, and responsible when they participate in the activity.
Safety Education Programs
Select a program to view course options, certification requirements, and registration information.
Instructor-led Courses
Instructor-led safety education courses are taught by certified volunteer instructors and are free to attend. Courses are offered throughout the year and are available to students across Illinois.
- Registration is required to attend a safety education course unless otherwise noted on the class schedule.
- Safety education courses are designed for students ages 12 to 18 years old (all ages are welcome to attend). Course curriculum and tests are written at a 6th-grade reading level.
- Unless told otherwise by the instructor, the only items a student needs to bring are a pencil and a note pad. Manuals, handouts and equipment are provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and instructors.
- If a student requires an accommodation or service to fully participate, please contact the instructor or your regional Volunteer Services Coordinator at least 14 days prior to the event date.
- Safety education programs are open to the public. Federal law prohibits discrimination based on gender, race, color, national origin, or handicap.
- Youth under the age of 10 must be accompanied to and during the safety education course by a parent/gaurdian at least 16 years old.
- Instructors reserve the right to dismiss or fail a student for inappropriate or unsafe behavior.
- Students are required to complete the multiple choice test on their own abilities, without assistance from a parent/guardian, unless other accommodations have been discussed and agreed upon in advance with the instructor.
- Attendance of a safety education program and taking the multiple choice test does not guarantee the passing of the course. Criteria such as, but not limited to, mental and physical acuity, the ability to demonstrate and recognize safe procedures, attitude, and the maturity level of a student will be factors assessed by the instructor in the certification process.
Contact your regional Volunteer Services Coordinator if you have questions about the safety education programs or if you are interested in becoming a certified volunteer instructor.