Red Cross Hosts Babysitting Boot Camp

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Dozens of Tulsa teenagers are spending part of their of their Spring Break in boot camp.  It's babysitting boot camp, hosted by the Tulsa Red Cross.  The goal is to arm the teens with the tools they need to babysit safely.

Some Tulsa teens aren't taking a break during their week off from school.  Some of these sitters-in-training are starting their own businesses.

"Well, I have my own little brother and I know he can be difficult to handle. So just in case I get one of those little kids, that if they fall and hurt themselves. I can just get em ready and good to go," said Savannah Byrne.

And, some signed up because their families are growing and so are their responsibilities.

"That means I'm going to have three younger brothers. And she wants me to be prepared to baby-sit them," said 6^th grader Morgan Steele.

"It's a great program because they not only get skills about babysitting and what to do in different situations and how to deal with difficult behavior but they also get those basic skills on first aid," said instructor Christina Owens.

The sitters are getting hands on experience, practicing rescue breathing, taking pulses and CPR on each other.  It's a two-day intense program.  And, every participant walks away with Red Cross certification.

That's not a bad item to put on your babysitting resume.

"It makes me feel great, because now I can go up to a parent and say I'm certified by the Red Cross. I know CPR and all sorts of things to keep your child safe," said Savannah Byrne.

A more confident, prepared sitter should make for more confident parents.

The Red Cross hosts babysitting training periodically, the next one-day session is in April.  The next two-day boot camp is in June.