A grant from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will help support the inaugural DSU Spring Outdoor Youth Camp during spring break 2018 from March 12-15 on the campus of Delta State.
The overall objective of the camp, open to children ages 9-11, is to educate and train young members of the community to be responsible citizens with a deep love for the outdoors while encouraging them to hunt and fish responsibly.
The total spots for the camp will be limited to 30, and participants are encouraged to reserve a spot as soon as possible. View a more detailed camp schedule at https://www.deltastate.edu/artsandsciences/biological-sciences/dsu-spring-outdoor-youth-camp/.
Fees for the camp are $125 and must be paid in full prior to March 12. Camp registration is available online at https://www.deltastate.edu/artsandsciences/biological-sciences/dsu-spring-outdoor-youth-camp/dsu-spring-outdoor-youth-camp-registration/.
Dr. AHM Ali Reza, associate professor of biology and environmental sciences, applied for the grant funded through the Youth Participation Initiative Program of MDWFP. The Youth Participation Program was established in 2009 to provide funding for the purpose of educating children in the areas of hunting, fishing, conservation and safety.
Reza planned the schedule with project partner Nathan Aycock from the fisheries program of MDWFP, who is based at Charlie Capps Wildlife Management Area near Rosedale, Mississippi.
“We look forward to introducing this new camp to local youth who are passionate about the outdoors, hunting, fishing and conservation,” said Reza. “We are very thankful to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for making this camp a possibility. Campers will have a number of unforgettable hands-on experiences.”
The camp’s home base will be at Delta State’s campus with outdoor activities at Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge, Bear Pen Park and DSU’s Center for Science and Environmental Education in Merigold.
Attendees will learn personal safety, outdoor navigation and nature photography, along with a lecture on ecological aspects and conservation of the ecosystem. Participants will also learn about scientific aspects of hunting and fishing, wildlife and fish identification, types of fish sampling equipment, terminal tackle, water quality analysis, fishing safety and fish cleaning, and more.
Campers will be provided with giveaways including fishing rods, a T-shirt, gift items, lunch, snacks and more.
Two spots for the camp will be reserved for scholarship recipients and will be waived from paying the course fees. To be considered for the scholarship, participants must answer a few questions and write an essay.
For more information, or to reserve a spot, contact Reza at areza@deltastate.edu.
