Wildlife Department Youth Camp application available now

Oklahoma Wildlife Camp 2013

     Youths can log on to wildlifedepartment.com any time through April 18 and apply completely online for the 16th Annual Wildlife Youth Camp. 

     The weeklong event is slated this year for June 22-27 at Oklahoma University Biological Station at Lake Texoma. The camp is run entirely by employees of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and aims to teach youth about the rewards offered by a career in wildlife - be it as a game warden, fish and wildlife biologist or even a communications or education specialist.

     The free camp increases awareness of conserving and managing Oklahoma's wildlife resources through courses on wildlife-related career opportunities, rifle and shotgun training, archery, wildlife identification, wildlife law enforcement, fishing, fisheries management, ropes, swimming, turkey and waterfowl hunting, management and law enforcement.

     "We urge anybody between the ages of 14 and 16 that's interested in hunting or fishing or a career with the Department to apply," said Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties and coordinator for the Wildlife Youth Camp

     To attend Wildlife Youth Camp, applicants must be Oklahoma residents, and they must turn 14 prior to June 22, 2014, and be no older than 16. Prospective campers must fill out an application form and write a 75-word essay describing why they want to attend the camp, why they should be selected and what they expect to learn. Additionally, they must provide a letter of recommendation by someone other than a family member and a recent photograph showing the applicant participating in an outdoor-related event or activity. The application process can be completed online, including the submission of the required essay, photo and signed letter of recommendation. To apply, prospective campers should log on to wildlifedepartment.com. The page also includes additional information about the camp and photographs from previous years.

The camp will be open to a maximum of 35 youths, and applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. April 18, 2014.  The 16th Annual Wildlife Youth Camp is scheduled for June 22-27 at Lake Texoma and will introduce teens to careers in wildlife conservation through a range of outdoor activities. Learn more at wildlifedepartment.com.

This program receives federal assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and thus prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and sex (gender), pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. To request an accommodation or informational material in an alternative format, please contact the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation by calling (405) 521-3855. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or service, please contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, Attention: Civil Rights Coordinator for Public Access, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203.

The Lake Texoma area offers many opportunities for the curious and the budding natural scientist.  Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma and Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, offer plenty of opportunities for observing and photographing nature.  Hagerman NWR has monthly programs for youth and adults and the Friends of Hagerman NWR Photography Club that meets bi-monthly to share ideas.  For more information on events and programs offered visit www.texomaconnect.com.