Page 10 - SDWF Out of Doors

Out of Doors 10 May - July 2023
59tH youtH conseRvatIon

camP - by bob scHaeffeR

For the 59th year, young campers across South Dakota
and all over the states Minnesota, Ohio, California, Iowa,
Nebraska traveled to Black Hills to attend camp. This year
we had 78 campers in attendance. Campers, along with
counselors and staff, gathered at Camp Bob Marshall to
spend the week of June 4th – 10th learning about wildlife
and conservation. The annual SDWF Youth Conservation
Camp provided these young people an opportunity to make
new friends, hear about the message of conservation,
and have a fun-filled, exciting time. The weather and
outstanding programs provided both the campers and staff
an exceptional camp week.
The week’s activities really brought out the enthusiasm
of the young people. On Monday, campers were divided
into two groups. In the morning both groups were bussed
to Rapid City. One group spent the morning getting a tour
of the Geology Museum School of Mines and the campus.
The second group spent the morning at the South Dakota
Department of Game, Fish and Parks Outdoor Campus West
in Rapid City. What a great facility. The campers toured the
facility and participated in activities of archery, kayaking, canoeing. In from Sioux Falls. Both winners will be invited to camp next year at no
the afternoon the two groups switched venues. Tuesday morning the cost and as CIT’s (counselors in training).
Custer State Park provided programs for the campers. The young Each year, awards are presented to individuals who have made
people had the opportunity to select from the following hikes: Little a significant contribution to camp. The Putzier Conservation Award,
Devils Tower, Prairie Trail Hike and Lovers Leap Hike. In the afternoon, presented to a individual or organization who is not a member of the
they were at the Norbeck Education Center and had classes about staff, went to Barb Bauer who has been driving campers around to
Forestry Management, Fire Management, Wildlife Management, and from camp over 20 years. The McClellan Conservation Award is
and Range Management. On Wednesday and Thursday, campers presented to a staff member who contributed to camp. This year the
selected sessions ranging from rifle, handgun, shotgun, and muzzle award was presented to Josh Halsey of Aberdeen.
loading shooting, Angostura Reservoir fishing, fly fishing, Birding in
the Black Hills, Building a Bow, Building a Spinning Rod, Dutch Oven We want to thank all the presenters and volunteers who worked
Cooking, Outdoor Photography, Turkey hunting, A Day in the Life of hard to make camp a success. A special thanks to the professionals
a Wildlife Biologists, Wilderness Survival, Boating Basics, Can You of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks and Custer
Paddle, Stream Sleuths, Trapping in South Dakota. Because campers State Park. They devoted their time and expertise to make the SDWF
selected which programs they wanted to attend, the response was Youth Conservation Camp a unique learning experience.
overwhelmingly positive. I would like to thank my 2 new Assistant Directors, Kemari Blumhardt,

On Friday, campers divided into groups and did Water Habitat Jayden Halsey who worked very long hours getting everything
Restoration by building habitat from PVC material for Bismarck Lake prepared for camp. Mike McKernan for his many years of all different
and clearing out cattails. The other group went to Meeker Ranch to roles including Director, Counselor. Mikaela Blumhardt who is the
remove old fencing as well as building Analog Beaver Dams. In the Camp Nurse. A BIG THANK YOU to Maggie Lindsey, Education Ser
afternoon the two groups switched venues. and Game, Fish & vices Coordinator for the GFP. Maggie coordinates

The evenings were also filled with interesting presentations. Monday and lines up all the classes from Custer State Park and Game, Fish &
Parks and does an awesome job.
evening, Maggie Engler of the Black Hills Raptor Center brought
several birds of prey including a ferruginous hawk, barn owl and several I also want to thank all the counselors, CIT’s and the clubs and
smaller raptors and described each bird in detail. Tuesday evening individuals who helped make the 2023 edition of Conservation Camp
was just a fun day with many games and activities for the campers to a success. Thanks to Chuck Rokusek, an avid supporter of our
get to know each other. On Wednesday all campers traveled to Mt. camp, who recruits kids from the Sioux Falls area and raises money
Rushmore for the spectacular lighting ceremony. Thursday evening to send them to camp. Thank You, Great Plains Outdoorsmen for
Liz Renner with the Game Fish and Parks gave her presentation on your generous Grant for support. National Wildlife Turkey Federation,
how healthy streams are. She also told the campers that she was a NE Walley Club, Pheasant Forever Clubs, Beadle County Sportsman
caper like everyone else and it gave her a path to become a biologists. Club, Hamlin County Conservation District. ALL THE PARENTS for
On Friday had awards and a picture slide show, and fun games. supporting the campers. Thanks to Scheels All Sports for providing

Every year the camp proud to present awards to the outstanding t-shirts for the campers.
individuals and campers. The Roehr Conservation Award is presented Check us out on our Facebook page, SDWF Youth Conservation
to outstanding girl camper. AvaMarie Armbright from Aberdeen was Camp. The entire camp and staff is privileged to have spent a week
selected for this honor. The Erdman Conservation Award is presented with a group of young people from all across South Dakota, and the
to the outstanding boy camper. This year’s winner is Treyton Zdenek country, and WE are looking forward to next June 2nd to 8th, 2024.