Registration for Youth Camp Now Open

Do you know a teen that could benefit from a week of canoeing, hiking, fishing and swimming in a beautiful forest? Oklahoma Forestry Services invites girls and boys between the ages of 13 to 15 to apply for its 61st annual Oklahoma Forestry Camp, which will be held June 5 - 10 at Beavers Bend State Park in southeast Oklahoma. 

“For 61 years, Oklahoma Forestry Services has enjoyed providing teens with a unique opportunity to put down their phones and experience the forest,” said George Geissler, Oklahoma State Forester. “They have fun adventures and make new friends, while also learning about the environment from professional foresters. Our camp experience has a lasting effect on kids, whether it’s a new appreciation for the forest or even choosing natural resources careers.”

In addition to swimming, canoeing, fishing and hiking, campers will also participate in hands-on forestry management and stream ecology learning activities with natural resource professionals. These professionals, who represent organizations such as Oklahoma Forestry Services, Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, Oklahoma State University Research Extension, Lower Mountain Fork River Foundation, US Forest Service and Weyerhaeuser Company, will also discuss career opportunities with the teens. Campers also take field trips to the Oklahoma Forest Heritage Center and Carter Mountain Fire Tower.

The fee for campers is $250, which covers all costs, including lodging, meals, transportation at camp, field trips and workshops. A limited number of partial scholarships are available to help defray the cost. Camp staff applications are also being accepted.

Teens are encouraged to register now for this extraordinary camp experience, as space fills up quickly and registration closes on May 12th. Visit www.forestry.ok.gov/forestrycamp to get more information, register or view pictures from previous years. Those who are interested are also welcome to contact Camp Director Jeri Irby, at 405-249-9612 or Jeri.irby@ag.ok.gov.

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