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Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp Registration Now Open

The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited is again offering its award winning Rivers Conservation and fly Fishing Youth Camp in June 2005. The camp is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited and hosted by the Cumberland Valley Chapter.

The purpose of the camp is to educate students in the importance of coldwater conservation. The selection of the thirty-two students is a rigorous process. In addition to the application form, each candidate must submit a written essay on why they wish to attend and submit the name, address and phone number of a guidance counselor or science teacher as a reference.

The classes are college level classes that have been distilled to provide the students with a background in fundamental science and how it will apply to daily life. Classes include Principles of Ecology, Hydrogeology, Aquatic Vertebrate and Invertebrate Sampling, Hydrology, Trout Behavior, Trout Stream Entomology, The Biology of Pollution, Acid Deposition and The Politics of Conservation and The Effects of Humans on the Chesapeake Bay.

While this is a learning experience of a lifetime, it is not all work. There are structured classes in fly tying, fly casting, streamside ethics, angling literature, the evolution of an angler wader safety and survival and streamside botany. These classes are designed to provide a balance to the textbook classes.

The faculty of the camp is a list of leaders in their respective fields. They come from all walks of life and have an interest in conservation. State agencies such as the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provide some of the faculty. Dr. Robert Behnke of Colorado State University is among the faculty and is considered the foremost trout biologist in the world. Leading experts in the fly fishing community also volunteer their time and talents to provide a faculty that is well rounded.

The students will also have the opportunity to participate in a stream project to repair habitat in a stream. This event is designed for the students to complete while

they are at camp in order that they can observe first hand the effects of their efforts.

In 1995 the late Dr. Jack Beck met with the late E.S. “Inky” Moore, Jr. to discuss the possibility of holding a camp dedicated to the idea of teaching young people about the importance of coldwater conservation. As Jack said, “There are camps for basketball and football, cheerleading and computers. Why isn’t there a camp to teach youngsters about the importance of coldwater conservation?” From that initial meeting, an idea was formed. Inky had been instrumental in establishing various other youth programs in the outdoors but this program was to be something different.

For further information or to obtain an application: Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, PO Box 71, Boiling Springs, PA 17007, email:

Klimkos@epix.net or visit the camp’s website.


11/8/2004

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