Boys & Girls Club, UPS, offer free ‘Road Code’ certification for teens

By Patrick Lynn

The Boys & Girls Club of Portage County is partnering with UPS for a new certification course open to local teens.

In honor of National Teen Driver Safety Week, the Club has announced a free opportunity for Portage Co. teens to participate in the UPS Road Code Certification course.

The program is led by the Club’s YouthForce. Core elements focus on different safety principles, including basic instruction to the consequences of risky behaviors such as talking on cell phones, texting, or drinking while driving.

The program employs state-of-the-art reality driving simulations.

“Participants essentially feel like they are behind the wheel of a sports car, encountering common road hazards to react to,” said Jeremy Higgins, BGC Director of Workforce Development.

The course is being held at the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County’s Guided Pathways to Success (GPS) Center, located at 931 Michigan Ave. The Center is accessible in the rear of the building where the Stevens Point Police Department is located.

The class will be held on October 26, 9 am to noon

The course is open to all students in grades 7-12. Club membership is not a requirement and there is no charge.

Once they complete the course, students will receive a t-shirt, a certificate of achievement, a discounted insurance offer, and the chance to win a $5,000 scholarship. Refreshments will be available during the session.

The class was made possible by a grant awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County as part of its YouthForce workforce development program. YouthForce also provides an array of opportunities for teens, including job placement assistance, post-secondary pathway preparation, junior staff roles within the Club, Career Camps, and engaging drop-in activities like bicycle repair workshops and makerspace projects.

For a detailed calendar of events and further information, click here, or contact YouthForce at 715-883-1082 or [email protected].