Rainbow Injury Prevention Center

The Cleveland Metroparks Ranger Department, one of the Greater Cleveland Safe Kids Coalition’s most active member agencies, recently received an award from the Ohio Parks & Recreation Association in recognition of its outstanding bike safety programs.  Among its many bike safety efforts, the Metroparks Rangers partnered with the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Center on a summer bike skills camp for children from an economically disadvantaged, primarily Hispanic neighborhood in Cleveland.  During the summer of 2009, 65 pre-teen campers participated in six week-long camps.  Campers learned new and safe ways to stay fit and active, discovered more about their community and its recreational opportunities, and learned about future career opportunities as they traveled throughout the Greater Cleveland area and gained exposure to all kinds of new people and experiences.  Campers had the opportunity to earn a new bike by demonstrating their bike safety skills, always wearing a helmet, and taking part in community service projects.  Rangers provided help in coordinating rides and watching over the kids, and were great role models for our campers.  Each week our young bikers enjoyed the Ranger’s presentation and were excited to learn about a career that would allow them to use their biking skills, help people, and enjoy the outdoors.

To learn more about the bike camp program, please check out the OPRA Connections Magazine.