Minnesota kids wearing life jackets while boating this summer will not only be staying safe, but also could be rewarded with an ice cream treat.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has partnered with Dairy Queen to provide a PFD Panda Award certificate to youngsters who are observed by conservation officers (CO) wearing a life jacket while boating. The certificate includes a tearoff coupon that entitles the child to a free cone or cheeseburger from participating Dairy Queen restaurants.

"We at International Dairy Queen are excited with the idea," said Ryan Hassebroek, regional marketing manager for the Minnesota-based company. "We thought this was a great way to encourage children to wear their life jackets and we hope that safe boating behavior continues right through adulthood."

Currently more than 96 percent of children now wear a life jacket while boating in Minnesota, according to recent studies conducted by the DNR. That's an increase from about 47 percent in 1984.

The PFD Panda Award certificate was created by the DNR after a CO suggested there be a reward for children he saw wearing their life jacket.

DNR COs report that children have called them over to their family's boat so they can earn the life jacket award. One child said to his friend who had come along, "See, I told ya you get ice cream for wearing your life jacket."

Minnesota county sheriff's water patrol deputies also distribute the DNR's PFD Panda certificates to children.