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While many students relaxed or played with their new toys during winter break, a handful of ambitious youth attended Baby-Sitting Boot Camp -- a three-day crash course in all things baby-sitting -- to pad their resumes and become more qualified to tend youngsters.
The American Red Cross offers the intensive "boot camp" to up- and-coming baby-sitters 11 to 15 during breaks from school. Students earn certifications in baby-sitting, first aid, adult CPR, child/ infant CPR and even pet first aid.
"I think they're going to be more confident knowing they accomplished something hard," said Kara Taggart, the friendly, less in-your-face version of a drill sergeant who led the boot camp.
"A lot of adults don't even do this. I commend them for learning these skills at a young age. I think it's important that at least one person in every family gets CPR certified."
Aside from learning the chest-compressions-to-rescue-breaths ratio -- 30:2 for adults -- and other safety tips, students learned how to care for young children.
"They learn the basics of diapering, bottle-feeding, how to pick up and hold a baby, activities for different age groups and they get recipes for what to bake," Taggart said. "It kind of encompasses everything."
They also learned how to run a business and market themselves as certified baby-sitters.
"I baby-sit for my family a lot, and nothing bad has happened," said Saratoga Springs sixth-grader Taylor Tripp.
"It's nice to know these things so in case anything bad happens, I know what to do and I don't panic."
How does she feel about her CPR skills now?
"I'd be pretty confident if someone collapsed," the Sage Hills Elementary School student said.
"I'd still be nervous because it'd be my first time, and I think it would freak me out a little, but I think I'd still do good."
Of the 17 students at the boot camp, just one was a boy: West Jordan eighth-grader Shane Eisert.
"My mom signed me up without me knowing," he said grimly.
Despite having to be surrounded by girls for three days, the Joel P. Jensen Middle School student said it was fun to learn pet first aid. Now he can help his beloved feline friend, Kitty Cat, in case of injury or sickness.
"I'll be a better baby-sitter than I was before," Eisert said. "If someone breaks their arm, I know what to do, and I don't have to freak out."
"We actually like it when the boys come because it adds more diversity," Taggart said. "They have a different perspective. Boys are good baby-sitters. They get along really well with kids."
Salt Lake City's Gavriella Hanks, 12, says she wanted to go through the Boot Camp because she loves watching kids and it's a good source of income. She gets paid about $10 per shift.
"I just like hanging out with kids and being able to help families," she said. Gavriella was in charge when her cousin cut her head open. Gavriella called the girl's parents who took her to the hospital for stitches.
"If something happens," says Gavriella,
"I know I won't have to panic, and I'll know what to do."
Remaining calm was a major theme of Boot Camp, said Taggart, who baby-sat when she was younger.
"There were bloody noses, there were scratches," Taggart said, remembering her baby-sitting career. "You panic. That's the one thing we talk about is just how to not panic in a situation. I would've taken this class if I'd known about it. I think I would've been a lot more prepared."
The American Red Cross, located at 555 E. 300 South in Salt Lake City, will hold its next Baby-Sitting Boot Camp during spring break. The organization also offers monthly two-day baby-sitting classes for $45. The full three-day boot camp costs $150. Students receive a T-shirt and baby-sitting kit.
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