DEC Contact: Lori Severino (518) 402-8000 January 22, 2015
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR DEC 2015 SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMNew This Year: Camps Run from Sunday to Friday |
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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting online applications for its 68th Annual Summer Camp Program, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. The 2015 camp season begins June 28. “DEC’s environmental education camps have a long tradition of inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Commissioner Martens. “Outdoor recreation and education experiences help campers develop an interest in science, learning and skills that will last a lifetime. I am always gratified when I speak with a student whose career choice was inspired at a DEC camp.” Parents may register campers only through DEC’s convenient, online registration system and pay by credit card, e-check or with a sponsor code. Fees for the 2015 camp season remain $350 per one-week session per camper. Camp dates and a link to the online registration system are posted on DEC’s website: www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html. Families without internet access should call the camp office at 518-402-8014 for information on how to register for camp alternatively. Youth 11 through 17 years old enjoy week-long adventures in conservation education at DEC's residential summer camps. They participate in a wide variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, bird watching, fly-tying, archery, canoeing, hiking, camping, orienteering and optional hunter safety education. Campers also learn about fields, forests, streams and ponds through fun, hands-on activities and outdoor exploration. DEC counselors teach youth conservation techniques used by natural resource professionals, such as measuring trees and estimating wildlife populations. New this season, camps will operate from Sunday through Friday afternoon. The closing ceremony and pick-up date and time has changed from Saturday at 8:30 a.m. to Friday at 4:30 p.m. This allows the weekly rate to remain at $350, and corresponds with the schedule of most coed camps in New York with similar ages, cost and activities. Pack Forest will once again host an Outdoor Adventure Week July 12-17 for 14- to 17-year-old campers. This week of camp will offer opportunities for youth to hone their outdoor skills in the areas of cast fishing, fly tying and fly fishing, target shooting, safe fire arm handling, tracking, back country camping, archery, outdoor survival skills, plant identification, trapping, bird identification, outdoor photography, canoeing and kayaking. DEC professionals including conservation officers, forest rangers, fishing educators, sportsman educators and biologists will be on hand to assist with some of the classes and to discuss environmental careers. The camper’s will have opportunities to learn outdoor skills through hands-on experiences in a safe and fun atmosphere. Due to its popularity last year, trapper education courses will be taught by DEC-certified instructors at all four camps this season. Interested 11- through 13-year-old campers can register for Week 3 (July 12--17) at Camp Colby, Week 7 at Camp DeBruce (August 9-14), Week 8 (August 16-21) at Pack Forest and Week 7 (August 9-14) at Camp Rushford. The course is necessary to purchase a trapping license, should youth want to trap during trapping season. The trapping course at each camp will accommodate the first 25 campers who sign up for it. Visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6089.html for more information on trapping licenses in New York State.
For more information, visit DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov, call 518-402-8014, visit "NYS DEC Summer Camps" on Facebook or write to DEC Camps, 4th Floor, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-5256. |
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