The first of two summer residential camps for high school students interested in pursuing environmental careers will begin June 18, at Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center near Carlisle, Cumberland County.

The expanded Environmental Careers Outdoors, or ECO, Camp program is available in the south central and northeastern sections of the state and will be held--

· June 18: Orientation, team building, noon to 5 p.m., at Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center, near Carlisle, Cumberland County;

· June 19: K-9 search and rescue, watershed introduction, aquatic skills, introduction to recreational fishing, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners, Cumberland County;

· June 20: Aquatic studies, turtle basking structure, introduction to birds of prey, historic buildings, fossils, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Little Buffalo State Park, Newport, Perry County, and Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Petersburg, Huntingdon County;

· June 21: Aquatic studies, introduction to trout hatchery operations, orienteering, K-9 search and rescue, geology and astronomy, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Huntsdale Fish Hatchery and Kings Gap;

· June 22: Timbering activities, introduction to forestry practices, sawmill operations and camping, lifeguard demonstration, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Pennsylvania State University Mont Alto Campus, Mont Alto, Franklin County and Caledonia State Park, Fayetteville, Franklin County;

· June 23: Career counseling, canoeing, fishing; 10:15 a.m. to 8 p.m., Kings Gap and Gifford Pinchot State Park, Lewisberry, York County; and

· June 24: 11 a.m. to noon, closing ceremonies, Kings Gap.

“When students leave these camps they have a keen awareness of the outdoor world and the many careers found there,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. “After spending a day with attendees last summer, I know they already have the interest and intelligence to become tomorrow’s stewards of the natural world.”

Instruction will be offered to selected students in grades 9-12, June 18, through, June 24, at Kings Gap. A second camp will be held, July 16, through, July 22, at the Kirby Episcopal House and Chapel, Glen Summit, Luzerne County.

The ultimate goal of the camps is to introduce students to conservation and environmental careers, and to encourage them to pursue their interests. From stream sampling of fish and aquatic life, to forestry skills, daily activities are planned to get students out in the field to meet and observe environmental professionals.

Participants will take part in activities exposing them to a wide range of career experiences, including water quality assessments, geology field studies and overnight camping experiences. There will be opportunities to meet conservation professionals to learn about career opportunities.

Offered without charge, the instruction and daily activities will be overseen by specialists and officials of DCNR’s bureaus of state parks, forestry, and topographic and geologic survey. After the camps, attendees will have a chance to seek internships, and mentoring and job-shadowing positions, and return as future camp leaders.

For ECO Camp information or to register, contact Blue Knob State Park, near Imler, Bedford County, at 814-276-3576.

6/9/2006