About 200 children will learn self-defense skills Saturday, thanks to a partnership between the Cedar Park Police Department and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office is hosting its second Children’s Self Defense Academy from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Cedar Park Recreation Center, 1435 Main St. in Cedar Park. Deputy Brandon Schaefer said this is the second program the Sheriff’s Office has organized after hosting one in January in Georgetown, soon after Sheriff Robert Chody took office.

Schaefer said the Sheriff's Office is likely to hold more of these events in the future.

“There was awesome feedback from the community, and there was an understanding that there’s a need and a want for self-defense instruction,” Schaefer said.

The event is free and open to the public and has support from surrounding law enforcement agencies, first responders and local businesses. The youth participants are 3-12 years old, and parents are encouraged to attend an informational session with community leaders, school officials and law enforcement personnel, a spokesperson with the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The event is free and open to the public. There is still some space available for ages 13-18, as well as for interested parents. People can register at www.eventbrite.com by searching “Williamson County Self Defense Academy @ CPPD.”