Lincoln, Neb. -- There are still a few spaces available for the 2005 Youth Outdoor Skills Camps at the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey and the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Camp near Gretna, according to Jeff Rawlinson, a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission outdoor education specialist.

Rawlinson said the first camp will be June 20 - 23 at the State 4-H Camp in the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest. The four-day Halsey camp will cost $203 and students must register by June 13.

The second camp will be at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Camp on July 11 - 15. The five-day Gretna camp will cost $280 and students must register by July 5. Both camps offer comfortable lodging in some of the most beautiful scenery found in their region.

The camps are sponsored by the Commission and Nebraska 4-H and are designed to provide Nebraska youths ages 11 to 14 years the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in many outdoor pursuits. The classes will be in a camp atmosphere where youths will learn various skills while interacting with conservation education specialists, conservation officers, wildlife and fisheries biologists, parks experts, other Commission professionals and hunter education instructors.

Among the skills to be taught in hands-on sessions are rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, archery, fishing, camping, canoeing, and wildlife conservation.

“For many, the camps represent the first time a youth has broken clays, shot arrows at 3D targets, witnessed the white smoke and the bellow of a muzzleloading rifle or just caught fish with other kids having similar interests,” Rawlinson said. “The workshops are fun, involved and the kids learn by doing.”

To register a youth or ask questions, contact Rawlinson at (402) 471-6133 or email rawlinson@ngpc.state.ne.us. 

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