Teens Invited to Attend Ohio Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camp Campers can explore the outdoors, compete for college scholarships

CARROLLTON, OH – Students who are interested in learning more about the outdoors and spending a week outside are invited to attend the Ohio Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camp. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), the camp will be held June 12-17. The camp is open to all students who have completed the eighth grade through high school seniors graduating the year of camp, which is held at FFA Camp Muskingum on beautiful Leesville Lake in Carroll County. “The best way to learn is to be outside with experts who can demonstrate and teach in a hands-on environment,” said Robert Boyles, Ohio’s state forester. “Many kids develop the fundamental skills needed to begin careers in conservation at camps just like this one.” The Ohio Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camp is a weeklong resident camp with the goal of educating the next generation of caretakers of Ohio’s valuable natural resources. Programs at this year’s camp include tree identification, ecology, forest industries, wildlife management, forest management, songbird identification as well as wildfire and prescribed fire. New this year will be the opportunity for the students to observe and learn from an active timber harvest at the camp. The camp is sponsored by the Ohio Forestry Association Foundation, a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the wise management of Ohio’s forests and natural resources. The camp is supported by the ODNR divisions of Wildlife and Forestry, Ohio State University (OSU) Extension and the county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). Campers spend the week making new friends, participating in fun camp activities and learning about the environment around them. Camp culminates with a comprehensive exam, including a tree identification section. The highest scoring students compete for college scholarships to Hocking College, The Ohio State University and Ohio University. Camp costs $400, with sponsorships available to assist interested students who need help covering the fee. Sponsorships are offered through local SWCD offices, sportsmen’s clubs, forestry groups and many private forestry-sector businesses. Students should register by Friday, June 10, to participate. For more information and registration, contact the Ohio Forestry Association at 888-38-TREES, or visit the OFA website at ohioforest.org. ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov. - 30 - For more information, contact: Stephen Rist, ODNR Division of Forestry 740-272-8519 Stephanie Leis, ODNR Office of Communications 614-265-6860