ESTEVAN — The Estevan Wildlife Federation continued a tradition of teaching young people about the outdoors during its annual conservation camp.
Forty-two kids participated in the annual event, held Aug. 7-10 in and around the EWF's grounds at Boundary Dam. Forty-five volunteers helped out at various times during the four days.
Camp co-ordinator Tija Donovan was pleased with the event. Some changes had to be made due to the weather. The camp avoided rain and hail, and they were able to get in all of the scheduled events, although the rock-climbing wall, and the fishing and fish-fileting lessons had different times.
New for this year was antler measuring with Mike Halirewich, who is a Henry Kelsey and Boone and Crockett measurer.
"We had the kids actually measure out different horns like moose and mule deer. And then we had the University of Regina biology students come out and do a presentation on different types of snares and netting that they have been using this year. Their summer student's in Estevan, so this is the first time they've been able to come out. Other than that, we kept it pretty much the same as normal years," said Donovan in an interview with SaskToday.
Kingsley Ogbu from the Aquatic and Invasive Species gave a presentation on how to clean, dry and drain a boat to prevent invasive species from spreading.
The firearms and shooting lessons on the final day are always a highlight, she said.
Activities in the afternoon of Aug. 7 included lure making, antler measuring, knot tying, swimming, and blood trailing and calling.
The evening featured outdoor cooking, fire starting, laser tag, spear fishing, a human knot and a turkey shoot.
Aug. 8 included lessons on fishing, canoeing, digital photography and biology. The afternoon featured Saskatchewan Trappers, Sask Fisheries, a Mike Hike, Aquatic Invasive Species and the rock-climbing wall.
Firearms lessons included handguns, .22s, muzzleloaders, paintball guns, archery and trap shooting.
Evening campfires took place Aug. 8 and 9.
The camp wrapped up Aug. 10. Hugh Ross was named the top camper for the year.
The campers had a great time, Donovan said, and are already looking forward to next year.
Donovan noted she used to be a camper, and then became a counsellor and a volunteer. Many of the volunteers also attended the camp in their younger days.
"I think these kids should have as great of an opportunity as I did when I was a kid. I think a lot of the campers just continue to carry it on. We teach them about conservation and wildlife, and keep that going through our generation. We don't want conservation to slip through the cracks. There's just so many other things out there in the world to do. We want to keep hunting, fishing and conservation as great as it is in Saskatchewan, and just maintain it to what it is."
