Look both ways before crossing the street. Take cover during a tornado. See who it is before opening the door.

These are just a few of the lessons many Lemont children are learning this summer during Safety Village Camp.

Offered by the Lemont Junior Women’s Club and the Lemont Park District, the camps include three- to five-day sessions for children in kindergarten through third grade.

Erin Cliff, 11, has attended Safety Village Camp as a student for several years. This year, she opted to be a volunteer teen leader.

“I love taking care of little kids and helping them learn safety stuff,” she said.

During Safety Village Camp, children are divided into two age groups, pairing 5- and 6-year-olds and 7- and 8-year-olds, with the programs tailored to their learning levels.

Safety lessons are taught by members of the Lemont Police Department, Lemont Fire Protection District, Lemont Park District, Lemont Junior Women’s Club and other local professionals through hands-on practice, repetition, games and activities in a controlled environment.

“A lot of community work goes into this,” said Pam Carter, recreation supervisor with the Lemont Park District.

Lemont Emergency Management Agency Director Tom Ballard was a guest speaker June 23, talking to the children about weather safety.

“We talk about what they should do in severe weather in the summer and winter and what to look for,” he said. “If there are dark clouds and lightening, we tell them to get inside. When they hear sirens, they need to go to the basement.”

Other topics covered during the program include basic first aid, pedestrian and railroad safety, stranger safety, animal safety and being home alone.

Lemont Safety Village also offers an actual child-size town consisting of mock buildings, sidewalks, roads, street lights, signs and railroad crossing with life-size caboose, offering children a realistic place to learn and have fun at the same time.

For Erin, there is one downside to her volunteer work.

“I don’t really like waking up early,” she said.

But a perk is being able to help teach safety lessons to her little sisters Sarah, 6, and Abigail, 5, who attended the camp this summer.

Both girls enjoyed the program.

Sarah said she learned what to do if someone comes to the door.

“Look out the window to see who it is,” she said.

Abigail enjoyed the Safety Village town.

“We get to go outside to play,” she said. “I like riding the bikes.”