Even though it’s summer, it’s never too early to think about snowmobiling.

The Savage Sno-Pacers, the local snowmobile club, has announced its 2009 Youth Snowmobiling Safety Training class to be held this fall. Class size is limited, and they always fill quickly so early registration is recommended. 

The classroom session is scheduled for Oct. 18 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Dan Patch American Legion Post #643, 12375 Princeton Ave., in downtown.

Students are required to preregister as no walk ins will be allowed. Lunch will be served, and the registration fee is $10 including lunch. Students will take the written test during the class. Those youth who successfully complete the classroom portion of the training will be required to pass a “behind the wheel” test Nov. 21 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. Snowmobiles will be provided for the “behind the wheel” test and no outside sleds will be permitted.

Students are required to successfully complete eight hours of classroom training, pass a written exam, and successfully pass a driving test to receive their certificate. No “make up” sessions will be held, so  do not register if you cannot attend both classes.

“Every year the parents seem to wait until the last minute to sign their kids up,” said Tom “Digger” Anderson, one of the instructors of the class. “By the time the weather gets cold, Scott County area classes are either full or already completed. We literally had students from the seven-county metro attending our Savage class last year because there were no openings where they lived. I highly recommend that local residents get registered immediately.”  

 Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by contacting Anderson via e-mail only at tomanderson@integraonline.com.   

More information about safe snowmobiling and other scheduled safety training classes is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us, www.mnsnowmobiler.org, or www.snopacers.com.