Nature Reliance School instructor Craig Caudill will be offering self-defense lessons next week in a fundraising effort to benefit the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center.

Caudill is partnering with Clark County Community Education and Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation to host two classes at the College Park Gym from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 24 and 26.

According to Community Education Director Cora Heffner, Caudill has done similar classes over the years through a partnership with community education.

The classes will be open to men and women, Caudill said, and they will focus on awareness and avoidance of potentially dangerous situation along with sharing several physical techniques to assist in dealing with danger if it should strike.

He said that being more aware of your surroundings and keeping your ego in check are major steps in ensuring personal safety.

“One of the things I encourage people to do is not have their face stuck in a phone all the time, especially when they’re out in public,” Caudill said.

He said the course will deal with a number of potentially dangerous situations, including how to deal with a bad driver on the road.

Caudill said the class he will teach at the park is the same one he teaches to law enforcement agencies, and it will include a physical component.

Heffner said because of the timing of the class, she hopes students on their way to college will take part.

The classes are free and open to the public, but a suggested donation of $5 to $10 per person is asked that will go to the rape crisis center.