We just celebrated the first day of spring, and it’s not too early to begin making plans for summer. You can register now for the annual Discover Nature Girls Camp scheduled for June 16-17 in the St. Louis region.
The camp accepts up to 60 girls ages 11 through 15 each year, and as of March 20, more than half of those spots were already taken. The link to registration provided by the state Department of Conservation is short.mdc.mo.gov/4jc.
Once pre-registered, the girls will receive a packet of information to complete and return before May 12. The free, two-day camp introduces participants to a wide range of outdoor activities and awards hunter education certification to those who complete the knowledge and skills sessions.
The camp will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the August A. Busch Conservation Area, Shooting Range and Education Center at 2360 Hwy. D in St. Charles. Canoeing, fishing and fire starting will be among the activities on the first day. The fishing activities include fish identification, casting, knot-tying, catching and cleaning.
In earning their hunter education certification the second day, at the shooting range, the girls will learn and practice archery, shotgun- and .22 rifle-shooting and atlatl throwing. All equipment for the fishing and shooting skills is provided by the conservation department.
Fifteen years ago, state conservation educator Becky Robertson coordinated the first-ever Girls Camp for the department when she was a conservation agent in St. Charles County. The program has continued to grow and evolve with the assistance of agents from throughout the region and has introduced nearly 1,000 young people to the wonders of the outdoor world.
“The goal of this camp is to encourage participants to gain the confidence to explore Missouri’s diverse outdoors on their own,” Robertson said in a press release. “Discover Nature Girls Camp provides them with a comfortable learning atmosphere where they can actively participate in ‘hands-on’ outdoor skills led by conservation agents and staff.”
Both Jefferson County conservation agents, Lexis Wilson and Ben Bardot, have participated in the past and said they look forward to the event again this summer. Wilson helped at the camp as a volunteer before she attended the academy to become an agent.
“I love being able to see young ladies grow in their skills and confidence,” Wilson said. “They show up at the beginning a little shy, a little nervous, and by the end of it, they are rock stars in their outdoor skills. I believe it gives them a solid foundation to build on their confidence for their future.”
Bardot said he also helped out with the summer camp as a volunteer prior to completing his training, and he looks forward to the opportunity to be a mentor again.
“I have been helping with it for the last four years, and before I was an agent as well,” Bardot said. “It's an incredible program that teaches young women the ins and outs of hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.”
For more information, email Robertson at Becky.Robertson@mdc.mo.gov, or call 636-441-4554, ext. 4126.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas for the Leader outdoor news page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and you can find more outdoor news and updates at johnjwink.com.