FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS SAFETY TOWN?

Founded in Mansfield, OH in 1937, Safety Town teaches children entering elementary school valuable safety lessons. The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office hosted its first Safety Town in Safety Town in 2017 with 75 children over two sessions. This program is run by our School Resource Officers and subject matter safety experts, with teenage volunteers as chaperones. Safety lessons include poison, bike, gun, outdoor, water, bus, fire, electrical, and stranger danger.

HOW MANY CHILDREN CAN ATTEND SAFETY TOWN?

We can accommodate 544 students each summer! 68 students are accepted into each 2.5 hour session, with a small waitlist kept to account for any cancellations.

ARE THERE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

Yes! We accept teen student volunteers each summer to assist with the program. More information can be found below.

DO YOU HOST SAFETY TOWN AT THE WILLIS CENTER?

We do not. That program is hosted by the City of Delaware Police Department. We typically have one week that overlaps wit the city’s program, so please double check before registering!

TIMING

January – Dates, locations, and registration information announced

March – Volunteer registration opens

April – Student registration opens

June & July – Eight 2.5 hour sessions are held over 4 weeks

2026 NEED-TO-KNOW INFORMATION

2026 TIMELINE

3/8 – 5 PM Teen volunteer registration opens

3/27 – Teen volunteer assignment notification

4/6 – 8 AM Child registration opens

4/20 – Notification of status (accepted or waitlisted)

5/15 – Payment deadline

*If payment is not received by 5/15, the spot will be given to the next child on the waitlist

STUDENT FAQ

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Safety Town is open to students who will be entering kindergarten and first grade in the fall. Children must reside or attend a school in Delaware County.

SESSION OPTIONS

Each week of Safety Town has a morning and afternoon session. Choose which session best fits your family needs.

AM Session: 8-10:30            PM Session: Noon-2:30 PM

COST

The cost for Safety Town is $30. Limited scholarships are available for hardship. If payment is not received by the payment deadline, the spot will be given to the next child on the waitlist. Do NOT register for multiple sessions, are refunds are not provided for duplicate entries. Any retained money will be used for program enhancement and scholarship opportunities.

CAN MY CHILD ATTEND TWICE?

Due to the popularity of Safety own, preference is given to first-time attendees. This gives the opportunity for more children to be able to attend. Any previous attendees who register will be placed on a stand-by list.

CAN FRIENDS BE IN THE SAME GROUP?

Children are assigned to one of four color groups. Unfortunately, with over 500 students participating in this program, we are unable to accommodate any grouping requests.

DO I HAVE TO CHOOSE MY DISTRICT’S SESSION?

NO! Sessions are named by the hosting school’s district; choose whichever session fits your family best! We host 4 weeks of Safety Town, which gives flexibility to families and their summer plans.

VOLUNTEER FAQ

WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?

We accept volunteers who are 13 years and older AND will be entering 8th-12th grade in the fall. We typically fill volunteer spots quickly.

WHEN IN VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION?

Registration occurs every year in March. Specific dates will be posted on our website and social media sites in advance. The registration portal will open at 5 PM on the specified date.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF VOLUNTEERS?

Volunteers are paired with another teen and supervise groups of up to 17 children. Volunteers accompany the students to each lesson and help redirect students when their attention wanes. Deputies and community partners are in charge of teaching lessons and are readily available should volunteers need any assistance.

HOW MANY VOLUNTEERS CAN SIGN UP?

We have 88 spots for volunteers to fill. Volunteers are welcome to claim more than one spot, as long as they commit to the entire week.

WILL I GET ANY CREDIT?

YES! After Safety Town ends each summer, volunteer certificates are delivered via email, which include the total number of hours worked. If your school verifies volunteer experience online (i.e., SchooLinks), feel free to send an email after Safety Town ends to make us aware.

Questions?

Contact Kirsten Imthurn kimthurn@co.delaware.oh.us

701 North Miller Road, Sunbury, OH 43074

683 Coover Road, Delaware, OH 43015

4458 North Road, Lewis Center, OH 43035