By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
Texas teens who are interested in wildlife, the great outdoors and conservation have until May 31 to apply for this year’s Wildlife Conservation Camp hosted by the Texas chapter of the Wildlife Society.
“Wildlife Conservation Camp is a five-day summer camp focused on teaching students about nature, ecology and wildlife,” Bobby Allcorn, camp director and wildlife biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said. “It started back in 1993 and is put on by the Texas chapter of the Wildlife Society through volunteer members that seek to try and educate our high school students about wildlife.”
The camp is July 9-13 at Big Woods on the Trinity in Tennessee Colony.
“We’re really focused on introducing students to the natural world around them,” Allcorn told the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. “We do a lot of plant identification, try to find different wildlife species and we go over wildlife trapping techniques.”
The camp also covers hunting as a management tool, firearm use and firearm safety.
“We get into fishing as a management tool, talk a little bit about different ways to do that and get a little experience doing some fishing,” Allcorn said.
The natural resource, conservation and wildlife experts at the camp also discuss survey technique, prescribed fire and habitat management.
“We try to expose youth to many aspects of wildlife and wildlife conservation in Texas,” Allcorn said. “There’s all sorts of different programs and different aspects we’ll be glad to show campers.”
The camp is geared toward high school-aged students, including graduating seniors, who are interested in conservation and management of wildlife and habitat or are interested in pursuing a career in a wildlife or a natural resource-related field.
Students who have attended the camp in the past are welcome to apply to attend again.
“Every year, we try and bring back a few of our campers from the previous year, if they’re interested. They can learn a lot more and can also help ease the new campers into what camp will be,” Allcorn said.
Cost is $350 and includes housing and meals. Scholarships are available. Students may also solicit funds from community organizations or sponsors.
Students must be nominated by a member of the Texas chapter of the Wildlife Society, teacher, county Extension agent, youth leader, natural resource professional or county Farm Bureau.
Details are available here at wildlifecamptx.org.
The new camper application is available here.
Potential campers must submit their paperwork by Sunday, May 31.