Boys and girls ages 11 to 15 are requested to report to boot camp — babysitting boot camp, that is.

The Suffolk chapter of the American Red Cross will offer babysitting boot camp Aug. 9-10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The course will cover basic child-care skills, how to handle common injuries and emergencies, communicating effectively with parents and children, and more.

Potential babysitters who complete the boot camp will receive certification in standard first aid, disaster preparedness, water safety and babysitters’ training.

“Parents often prefer babysitters with Red Cross training because they recognize the importance of having sitters with the skills to properly care for their little ones,” Lisa Harrell of the Suffolk chapter wrote in a press release.

Students in the boot camp also will learn skills such as the following:

Supervising children and infants.

Performing basic child-care skills such as diapering and feeding.

Choosing safe, age-appropriate games and toys.

Handling bedtime and disciplinary issues.

Identifying safety hazards and preventing injuries.

Caring for common injuries and emergencies such as choking, burns, cuts and bee stings.

Communicating effectively with parents.

Finding and interviewing for babysitting jobs using a resume

The Red Cross trains more than 120,000 babysitters each year nationwide. To register for the Suffolk boot camp, call 539-6645.