Youth
interested in wildlife, fisheries or law enforcement can learn the
basics by attending the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation's fourth annual Wildlife Youth Camp. The camp is
conducted each year by wildlife professionals including game
wardens and biologists.
The camp, scheduled June 9-14 at Camp
McFadden near Ponca City, is open to Oklahoma youths ages 14 to
16. Additionally, applicants must have been enrolled in school
during the 2001-2002 school year. Participants will attend courses
in firearms handling, wildlife law enforcement, wildlife and
fisheries biology, water safety, self-defense, rifle and shotgun
training, waterfowl hunting, and archery.
The camp is free of charge but will be
limited to 35 participants. Applicants should be interested in
fish and wildlife management or law enforcement and must submit a
75-word essay explaining why they want to attend the camp; why
they believe they should be selected and what they expect to learn
while attending. They must also submit a letter of recommendation
from a person of their choice other than a family member.
The application deadline is April 15. To
obtain applications, contact the Wildlife Department's Law
Enforcement Division at P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152,
or by calling 405/521-3719. Applications may also be available
from local wardens or from the Wildlife Department's Web site www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Simply print off the application, fill it out and mail it in with
the essay and letter of recommendation.
