The radKIDS class was a great success with 47 local students completing the five day course. Each student was presented with a radKIDS completion certificate containing their picture and thumb print, a radKIDS bracelet, an activity /coloring book and a NVV Child Seekers T-Shirt. The national course of safety and empowerment was taught, without charge, by local instructors, Rod Frieling, Dena Hoff, Susan Saltzman and Duane Thurston. The volunteer/helpers, Carmen Miller and Kim Thurston, were there, every day and every step with the students. The parents were given a Family Manual they could use to review the class material with their children. The children, ages 5 to 12, learned about safety concerns in many different areas. Some of the areas; safety in and around the home, busses and the dangers of not following the rules, what to do in the case of dog attacks, how to know the difference between a bad person/good person, 911 calls, bicycle safety and helmet use, tricks used to intimidate them, sexual abuse and the empowerment to escape a would be abductor. Over 8, 000 children are reported missing in Nevada every year.
radKIDS is the acronym for resisting aggression defensively. It is very important for parents to empower their children in this day and age. The program is not to frighten children but to help them learn to recognize danger and if attacked, draw attention by screaming, kicking, and running away to safety. The students are taught 17 different techniques to use against a would be abductor or a bully. All radKIDS learn things that will give them a fighting chance to get away since parents and grandparents can’t always be there. They are instructed when to use the techniques. The radKIDS stance and techniques are used when approached by someone they don’t know and makes them feel uncomfortable. They yell, “Stay back; you’re not my dad/mom!” The motto, “hit hard, yell loud and run fast” is reinforced every day of the course. If you would like more information about the radKIDS, you can go to radKIDS.org.
We appreciate the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the use of their building and the air conditioning which was greatly needed during the hot week. We’d like to thank some of our sponsors, NV Child Seekers for T-Shirts and materials, D&K Sunny States Carpet Cleaning, the Mesquite Constable Office, Safe Routes to School (for 35 new bike helmets), Ace Hardware, Walgreens, CCSD School District and the parent volunteers. The Instructors would especially like to thank the parents who brought their children every day.