My trip to BTYCC

[Milan]

You all have seen the thread Stephen posted but I wanted to add something too.

Wow! Where do I start:icon_scra First let me thank all that made this possible. Huge THANK YOU goes to our own Stephen Williamson and his lovely wife Sonya for the kind invitation and making me and my son Chris feel at home while up there. You guys are simply wonderful. Another huge THANKS to FWC Kelly Langston and Kenny Barker. You guys are running a program that is second to none as far as youth and conservation are concerned. Special thanks to counselors Robert, Ryan, Drew and Mitch. You guys are top notch, and your dedication to the kids is something to marvel at.

Very special thanks to Rey, who is responsible for taking care of the property there. Rey, thanks brother for your awesome hospitality :icon_thum

All this, of course, would not have been possible without the leadership and initiative of Beau Turner himself who has provided the land, and is intimately involved in the management and direction of the center. My hat goes off to him for his dedication to the cause of conservation and youth education. This country can certainly benefit from more folks like him. THANK YOU, sir!!!

Now let's get to what BTYCC is all about.

The summer camp is combination of some class room activities with a LOT of outdoor activities. During the class segments kids learn all about hunter safety, duck hunting, turkey hunting, and hunting in general. Kenny Barker did a spectacular job transforming the material into an easy and fun study that all 10 year old's could find exciting. Being a father of one, I can tell you, that's not an easy task. Kenny, you are the man :icon_thumr:icon_thumr:icon_thumr

Our own Stephen and Jeremy did a great job on the duck hunting segment and kids were able to ID all the ducks after just one hour of interactive lecture. The dog demonstration Jeremy did with his fantastic dog Huntley, was a big hit among the little ones. Stephen brought his duck boat and kids were able to see how it all happens when you get to the marsh.

There was also Bill Marvin from the NWTF who fascinated the kids with all things turkey.

The outdoor activities were combination of daily trips to the fishing pond, archery, 22LR range, and the shotgun range. Let me tell you folks, it was not just one trip to those facilities. This happened every single day. Every single day kids shot bows, shotguns, 22LR rifles, and fished. Every fish above 12 inches was taken home. There was not a minute those kids got bored. It was a roller coaster of outdoor extravaganza. Those kids eyes were glowing of joy and excitement.

The week of camp culminated with the graduation ceremony where all kids were given their hunter safety certificates. All kids without exception passed the test thanks to the fantastic job everyone did. The ceremony was followed by a great meal of pulled pork, lama beans, mac and cheese, and soft drinks for all the kids and their parents. After the lunch the kids split by groups of their choice and went to...guess where....the fishing pond, archery range, shotgun range, rifle range and enjoyed shooting and fishing till the end of the day.


All in all, the place is amazing! What is being done there for the next generation of hunters, fishermen, and conservationists is a model for the entire country. For all the parents who read this: take your kids to BTYCC as soon as you can. This will be the summer camp they will talking about for years, and remember forever.

As for Chris and I, we are ready to take our next seven hour drive to BTYCC.

Milan
UW-F South Regional Director, Secretary, and Newsletters Publisher

[novaalex]

The folks that live nearby are extremely lucky. Hopefully FFWC's efforts will bare fruits and we all will have something like that close to our homes.

[Milan]

The folks that live nearby are extremely lucky. Hopefully FFWC's efforts will bare fruits and we all will have something like that close to our homes.

Amen Alex! S. Florida kids can greatly benefit from something like BTYCC.

[swilli1054]

Milan...Thank You for your kind words. We are lucky to have this facility. We try to make sure that when the kids leave the center, that they are planning their next visit!

It was a pleasure to have you and Christopher up here, and you always are welcome to return!

Stephen

[N. Cook]

The FWC via the Florida Wildlife Foundation is working to have five of these camps around the state, including one in S. Florida...may be at Corbett....UW-F is in the game....along with the FUTURE OF HUNTING IN FLORIDA. Selection of properties and funding partners is well on the way and some more solid news should be available at the FWC Commission meeting in September.

[novaalex]

That is great Newton but maybe you can sprinkle some of your magic pixie dust and help the FWC view things through your rose colored glasses because in my opinion calling Corbett South Florida is like calling Orlando North Florida. How about having one of these places in an area with the highest population density, maybe then you would be able to get kids out of urban environments and help them focus on the outdoors. It seems to me that a kid who grows up in a rural county is going to hunt no matter what.

[N. Cook]

Yes....we know the Corbett facilities are there, they are old and in need of extensive upgrading to be a Youth Conservation Center...and because it is highly supported by our friends at the FSCA we are a bit prejudiced as they have stepped up from day one when the Youth Conservation Camps were proposed last year and offered to "make it happen" and I am glad to support that challenge to the FWC. The FSCA are Partners in the FUTURE OF HUNTING IN FLORIDA who are working to be major suppliers of the volunteers that will be needed at the Centers...as FHF helps now at BTYCC.

However, there are additional sites, perhaps a second one, based on what Ron Bergeron will do. This would be the best of both worlds if we could get one in the "southwest" as well.

Suprisingly, there is actually a "bidding war" between prospects in some parts of the state for these Camps ....an example is TENEROC, which appeared to be a "shoo in" until Herky Huffman offered a "turn key" operation at the last FWC meeting.

[novaalex]

So tell me who draws the geographical lines that define us?

[swilli1054]

So tell me who draws the geographical lines that define us?

Alex concerning the youth centers the "lines" are the FWC Regional offices at this time. That is not to say that every region is envisioned to have an equal number of centers. As you brought up earlier the population density will determine "how much, how many".

We have 22 campers this week. 8 of the 22 had never fired a shotgun. I have been very surprised, living in the rural part of the state, at the number of youth that we get each week that have little or no outdoor experience. The percentage in your area of the state is going to be shocking....

Also the camp at Corbett was focused on because it has the most facilities already in place. One of the biggest shortfalls for all areas, that is being addressed, is the actual transportation of youth to the facilities. I'm not sure but I think that there is some concern that some school districts may have some concerns about using any of their assets to assist. You bring up a great point about needing the facilities close to the need.

[novaalex]

I can see how the School District might shy away from this. kinda like the way paypal doesnt work with us anymore because we raffle away a gun. It is a shame. As far as tailoring locations to need it is really crazy here in Dade/Broward because kids really have tons of things to do. But that really depends on the parent. if you have deadbeat parents no matter where you reside the kids will be deprived of opportunities. I think that the only difference in Dade/Broward is that the kids that arrive in camp will probably have more experience with small arms fire and in some case they will be packin and ready to bust a cap in someone's arse! :booty:

After all is said and done Swilli and Jeremy should be very proud of this project that they have contributed so much too and the rest of us can only hope to influence the process in a way that we could get a place close to us. North Florida has Mr. Turner, perhaps South Florida can get Gloria Estefan and her crew to stop sniffin Obama's posterior and contribute for us!

[swilli1054]

I believe that Commissioner Bergeron will be able to sway some people and open up some areas. I haven't heard anything about that, but I do place trust in him.