Scholarships are still available for West Virginia Junior Conservation Camp, where kids ages 11-14 can learn about environmental science from the state’s most knowledgeable forestry, wildlife and preservation experts. Scholarships cover the full cost of camp, which is $172, and are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Scheduled June 20-24 at Cedar Lakes in Ripley, the overnight camp offers classes in wildlife, archery, recycling, fishing, canoeing, and more, inspiring over 200 campers to protect the state’s natural resources. The camp is sponsored by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Each day, campers have the opportunity to learn about environmental preservation in engaging new ways, outside of a classroom setting. Past presentations have explained energy efficiency and air quality, demonstrated the work of fire dogs in forestry, and displayed the operation of mechanical deer and turkey used to protect out-of-season animals.
Campers also swim, play volleyball, run relay races, and engage in many other activities with their peers. After the day’s festivities, campers gather around a campfire, creating fellowship with one another. The camp concludes with an assembly on Friday morning.
Many dedicated experts from the DEP, Division of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, and WVU Extension Service serve as camp counselors, presenters, and leaders. For more information about Junior Conservation Camp or to inquire about scholarship availability, contact camp Director Diana Haid at 304-926-0499, Ext. 1114, or diana.k.haid@wv.gov. The deadline to register for camp is May 2.
The DEP also would like to remind youth ages 14-18 that the 75th annual West Virginia State Conservation Camp at Camp Caesar in Webster County is scheduled for June 13-18. That camp is organized by the WVU Extension Service, West Virginia Conservation Agency and several more state and federal agencies. For more information about that camp, go to www.wvconservationcamp.com or call Allen Miller at 304-293-9425.
For more DEP news and information, go to
www.dep.wv.gov. Also, be sure to connect with the agency on all social media platforms. Follow @DEPWV on Twitter and find us on YouTube by searching “Environment Matters.” For specific information about our REAP (Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan), West Virginia Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), West Virginia Watershed Improvement Branch, Youth Environmental Program and Human Resources initiatives, connect on Facebook.
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