INUVIK
The babysitting certification course is intended to take some of the adventure out of babysitting.

The latest graduates of Crystal Navratil's babysitting certification course display their certificates as they celebrated their graduation March 14 at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex. In the front row, from left, are Shalayah Raymand and Crystal Navrital. In the middle row, from left, are Lauren Ross, Lexis McDonald, Lekeisha Raymand and Destiny Pokiak. In the back row, from left, are Shaomek Bernhardt, Leighana Cardinal, Paris Wainman and Isabelle Day. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Eleven Grade 6 students graduated March 14 from the course taught by Crystal Navratil, a community health representative with the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority.

Navratil has been offering the courses twice a year for about 10 years, and there's a continuing demand and need for trained babysitters in Inuvik, she said.

That's particularly the case with the many events that happen on weekends, and having certified babysitters on hand makes it easier for parents to be comfortable about leaving their children in capable hands if they want to go out, she said.

"There's always something that seems to be going on."

Most children are "of an age to start babysitting at 12," she said, which coincides with Grade 6. The youth taking the course are "trained and ready to go" by the time they graduate.

"The babysitting course is from the Alberta Safety Council," Navratil said. "Both classes are full."

There is a commitment required.

"It can take up to 12 weeks to teach, with lessons being held after school from 3:30 to 5 p.m. twice a week. Throughout the course there are exams, quizzes, hands-on learning with baby models, role-playing activities and a babysit-an-egg project.

"There is work, there is homework and they have to attend every class. It's a big commitment, and it's after school, especially when the weather is getting is nicer and they want to go play outside."

Presenters from the Inuvik Fire Department also attend the program to provide some training in fire safety, she said.

The course also introduces the youth to what's likely their first semi-formal look at parenting skills, Navratil said.

"There's tons of parenting skills they get taught in this course, that probably some of their parents aren't even aware of. There's a wonderful lesson on behaviour management. I think these guys can go home and teach their parents a bit."

Surprisingly, several of the graduates said they weren't necessarily interested in babysitting before signing up. Instead, they wanted something to do while hanging out with friends.

Lauren Ross said she took the course because her friend Paris Wainman was taking it.

Wainman said she already "babysits my brothers and sisters."

Leighana Cardinal said she enjoyed learning about "how to do first aid, and how to escape from a fire, and how to look after a child the right way.

"They taught us what to do and how to do it," she said.