By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Jeff DeMay of Geneseo has created a “BIBLE” Boot Camp to teach today’s teens about Home Basics and Repairs.

Sessions are open to all area high school students and are conducted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South Campus (His Place) of First Methodist Church, 302 North State St., Geneseo. There is no cost to participate, and lunch is provided. The curriculum is expressly designed to be hands-on

DeMay, who is a former Junior Achievement mentor, explained, “BIBLE, which uses the letters from Basic Life Habit Building Experience, gives teens the chance to learn the best practice for many things our generation took for granted, like knowing how to change your own tire, the basics of cooking, baking, or grilling, understanding government and voting, or even fixing a hole in your wall or knowing what to do with a clogged drain.”

He said he hoped to begin the sessions on Jan. 13, but due to inclement weather conditions, that was not possible. The next scheduled session is Saturday, Feb. 17 and registration is required.

“What that means, though, is that all who wanted to participate in Auto Basics will still have that opportunity on April 6,” DeMay said.

For more information or to register for any or all of the future sessions, contact Jeff DeMay at 309-714-3390 or by email at jdemay80@gmail.com. Preregistration is necessary by the Sunday prior to each event. There is a signup sheet at the First Methodist Church Information Desk. The sessions cannot exceed 25 high school participants and do not need to be a member of First Methodist Church to participate. The South Campus facility is located just south of First Methodist Church.

SCHEDULED SESSIONS:

-OUTDOOR SKILLS – SATURDAY, FEB. 17 – Will be held at the Izaak Walton League Club, 22970 Illinois Rt. 82, Geneseo: Participants will learn safety of hunting and fishing equipment, how to bait a hook, how to start a fire, and how to survive the elements. Guest speakers will include Wayne Peterson and Kent Anderson, both avid sportsmen.

-CITIZENSHIP BASICS – SATURDAY, FEB. 24 – Participants will learn how to appropriately act when seeing the flag and color guard, learn about voting registration and the process itself, become involved with local government, and explore The Constitution.

-FINANCE BASICS – SATURDAY, MARCH 9 – Participants will learn how to check debits and credits against their bank statement, balance a checkbook, and set a reasonable budget for monthly household expenses. Guest speakers include Roger Eickman, CPA, Oakwood Tax Services.

-COOKING AND GRILLING BASICS – SATURDAY, MARCH 23 – Participants will learn how to grill with a charcoal and start the fire or change the gas cylinder on the grill and how to appropriately check meat temperatures. Participants also will learn other meal basic and dine on the end results. Guest speakers will include Kim and Chris Schwarzkopf of “A Spotted Apron.”

-AUTO BASICS – SATURDAY, APRIL 6 – Participants will learn how to safely maintain a vehicle including how to check fluid levels. They also will be taught how to handle adversities on the road, such as a blown tire. Guest speakers include Matt McKinley of Turpin Motors, Geneseo.

-CELEBRATION OF COMPLETION – SATURDAY, APRIL 13 – FROM 11 A.M. TO 1 P.M. – Percipients will use this time of celebration to talk about all forms of relationships and the importance of these relationships in their future. This time of sharing will include lunch and open conversation.