For Release: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
DEC'S Environmental Education Camps Now Accepting Applications
A Week at a DEC Summer Camp Creates a Lifetime of Memories
Applications for youth interested in attending the 2010 summer environmental educational camps are now being accepted, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. DEC urges families looking for an out-of-the-ordinary summer experience to consider enrolling youth ages 12 to 17 in these exciting and challenging programs.
DEC operates four residential environmental education camps around the state. The camps focus on conservation education and immerse campers in outdoor activities and games that teach the wise use of natural resources. Highly qualified staff ensure that campers enjoy their week-long outdoor adventure, whether in camp or on an overnight hiking or canoe trip. For those who are interested, and with prior permission from parents/guardians, hunter safety training is available from certified sportsman education instructors.
All four camps - Colby and Pack Forest in the Adirondacks, DeBruce in the Catskills, and Rushford in Western New York - serve children 12 to 14 years old. In addition, DEC offers week-long Ecology Workshops for teens 15 to 17 years old at Pack Forest and Rushford during the camp season. Six sessions, each one week long, run from June 27 until August 7, 2010. A week at one of these exceptional camps costs just $325 per camper. Many campers are sponsored by local garden and sportsmen clubs and civic groups. Spaces are still available most weeks.
Full information, including registration forms, available weeks and detailed program descriptions is available on the DEC website, by writing to NYSDEC Camps, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4500, by emailing edcamps@gw.dec.state.ny.us, or calling (518) 402-8014.
MEDIA NOTE: Pictures of past campers are available on the DEC website at ftp://ftp.dec.ny.gov/dpae/press/EdCamps/
