Seward: Camperships Still Available

There’s still room in a DEC environmental education camp for a student from the 51st senatorial district, Senator James L. Seward said today.

Seward annually sponsors one student, age 12 to 17, to Camp Colby in the Adirondacks, one of the state’s four DEC camps, free of charge to the student or family. The cost is ordinarily $250 per week.

Campers spend one week in hands-on activities that stress the wise use of natural resources, including hiking, stream sampling, birding, canoeing, archery, fishing and hunter safety education. Traditional camp activities, such as swimming and evening campfires, are parts of the week’s events.

"For some students, a week at DEC camp is their first chance to look at wildlife and resource conservation issues," Seward said. "The camps offer a great opportunity for young people to find out more about natural resources and conservation. Participants make new friends, learn lifelong skills, and some even find it the start of a future career."

Nominees must be considered economically disadvantaged who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.

The week-long camps start in June and run through August. For more information, interested persons should contact Mira Dillenbeck in Seward’s Oneonta office at 607-432-5524.

-30-