MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Coon Rapids Opens Registration for 2026 Safety Camp Focused on Fire, Water, Internet and Emergency Preparedness

COON RAPIDS, MN (May 9, 2026) The City of Coon Rapids is once again preparing to bring local students face-to-face with emergency responders, public safety professionals, and life-saving education through its annual Safety Camp program this summer.

City officials announced that registration is now open for the 2026 Coon Rapids Safety Camp, a two-day public safety education program led jointly by the Coon Rapids Police Department and Coon Rapids Fire Department. The camp is scheduled for June 16-17 and is open to students entering fourth and fifth grade during the 2026-27 school year.

According to the city, the camp is designed to provide children with hands-on exposure to critical safety skills while also building positive relationships between young residents and first responders.

This year’s camp will run daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Coon Rapids Ice Center located at 11000 Crooked Lake Boulevard NW.

Teaching Safety Beyond the Classroom

City officials say the program is structured around practical, real-world safety education designed specifically for elementary-aged children.

Campers will receive instruction in:

• fire safety,
• electrical safety,
• basic first aid,
• 911 emergency response procedures,
• internet and online safety,
• bicycle safety,
• and water safety.

Participants are encouraged to bring bicycles and helmets on the second day of camp for hands-on riding and safety exercises. Students will also visit a local swimming pool to participate in supervised water safety instruction.

Officials say the combination of classroom instruction and interactive activities is intended to help children retain potentially life-saving information in ways that are engaging and age appropriate.

The city also noted that the program concludes with a graduation and awards ceremony for participating students and their families immediately following the final day of camp. This year’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for June 17 at 4 p.m. outside the west side of the Coon Rapids Ice Center.

Public Safety Engagement With Youth

Programs such as Safety Camp have become increasingly important community engagement tools for police and fire departments nationwide as cities seek to strengthen trust, communication, and familiarity between first responders and young residents.

The camp gives students direct interaction with firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel, and safety educators while introducing them to emergency preparedness concepts that many children may not otherwise encounter until a crisis occurs.

According to the City of Coon Rapids, campers learn not only how to respond during emergencies, but also how to recognize hazards before situations escalate.

The internet safety component has also become a growing focus for youth safety programs as cities and school systems continue addressing concerns involving cyberbullying, online exploitation, digital privacy, and social media risks affecting children.

Accessibility and Scholarships

Registration for the 2026 camp costs $40 per child. The city says daily snacks and lunches will be provided to participants during the two-day program.

Officials also confirmed that financial assistance and scholarship support are available for families needing help covering registration costs.

Families seeking scholarship information are encouraged to contact the city directly.

A Longstanding Community Program

Coon Rapids Safety Camp has operated for years as part of the city’s broader community safety and youth engagement efforts.

The program reflects a wider trend among Minnesota municipalities that increasingly incorporate experiential public safety education into youth programming during summer months.

Community-based safety education initiatives have expanded nationally over the past decade as emergency responders and educators place greater emphasis on prevention, preparedness, and early public safety awareness among children.

Officials say those lessons can include:

• recognizing fire hazards,
• safely interacting with emergency responders,
• understanding when and how to call 911,
• and learning how to react calmly during emergencies.

The city says the camp remains one of its most popular youth summer safety initiatives.

Registration information for the 2026 Coon Rapids Safety Camp is available through the City of Coon Rapids Parks and Recreation registration portal and can also be done using this link.

For additional information, residents may contact the City of Coon Rapids or visit the city’s official website.

MinneapoliMedia | Community. Culture. Civic Life.