From lush forests to roaring whitewater, West Virginia is celebrated for its abundant natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities.

At the West Virginia State Conservation Camp, scheduled for June 15-20 at Camp Caesar in Webster County, youth are instilled with the knowledge and values necessary to see that the state’s cherished resources are preserved for people to continue to enjoy for generations to come.

Supported by West Virginia University Extension Service, this award-winning camp has fostered an opportunity for young adults to connect to the land, explore potential career opportunities and learn more about the state’s various natural resources for more than 70 years.

Camp registration is now open to high-school-aged youth interested in exploring natural resource issues ranging from wildlife and watershed management to soil and forest conservation. In addition to hands-on learning, the camp will also offer traditional camping activities such as nightly campfires, recreational sports and group activities.

Since 1941, more than 16,000 youth have attended State Conservation Camp, the longest-running youth conservation camp in U.S.

During the morning, campers will participate in natural-resource-focused science, technology, engineering and math programming designed to provide them with a better understanding of the natural world. Campers may find themselves ankle-deep in streams learning about fish shocking – a tool for biologists and conservationists to study the composition of fish populations in bodies of water – while also learning about the diverse flora and fauna comprising our ecosystems.

“Experiential learning is a primary component of our camp program,” said Ben Spong, WVU Extension Service forest operations specialist. “Campers will not only touch, hold and collect different specimens, including creatures and plants, but also identify the species and understand how our interactions impact their habitats.”
In the afternoon, educational sessions will give way to free time for campers to explore other recreational interests, such as hiking, boating, fishing, shooting sports and more.

“Conservation camp is a great place for youths to make friends, discover new interests and gain professional field experience,” Spong said. “Throughout the week, campers get to work closely with specialists who are currently charged with managing these valuable resources, including foresters, park rangers, wildlife biologist and scientists, who can give valuable insight into future career paths.”

The camp is supported by the WVU Extension Service and other local, state and federal organizations and agencies with natural resource management responsibilities.

Full and partial scholarship opportunities are available for both 4-H members and non-4-H members. 4-H members should register at www.4-hyd.ext.wvu.edu/events_forms/state_conservation_camp.

Those who register through the website before May 15 are eligible to receive partial scholarships. Registration and scholarship information for non-4-H members is available at www.wvconservationcamp.com.

To learn more about WVU Extension Service and how it works to bring 4-H and other youth development camps to young people throughout West Virginia’s 55 counties, visit www.ext.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

blu/04/30/15

CONTACT: Cassie Thomas, WVU Extension Service
304.293.8735, Cassie.Thomas@mail.wvu.edu

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