Applications for the 12th annual Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp being held June 18 –23, 2006 at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, Cumberland County are due March 15.

The purpose of the camp is to educate students in the importance of coldwater conservation.

The college-level 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.

In addition, the camp provides hands-on classes such as fly tying, fly casting, streamside ethics, angling literature, the evolution of an angler, wader safety and survival, and streamside botany. The students will also participate in a watershed project to repair habitat in a stream.

The camp is limited to 32 selected, qualified students, aged 14 to 17. The student must have been born between June 23, 1988 and June 18, 1992 to qualify. The camp selection committee will choose students based upon each candidate’s qualifications and their desire to attend as stated in the required essay.

For the first time this year campers who are working toward achieving either a fishing merit badge or a fly fishing merit badge with the Boy Scouts may complete the requirements for those badges at the camp.

For more information or to receive an application, go to the Rivers Conservation Camp website or contact Mike Klimkos at 717-243-3056, or send email at klimkos@epix.net ; or Rod Cross at 717-263-0365.

1/13/2006