Extension offering survival camp for SWIA youth

Area youth will get an opportunity to boost their outdoor survival skills at a special camp next week.
The Montgomery County Extension Office is hosting a special Survival Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 27 and 29 at Viking Lake State Park. Participants will meet at the large shelter. The camp is for area youth ages 10 and above.
Sadie Graham, the program coordinator for Montgomery County ISU Extension, said this camp will be the first of its kind that she has coordinated.
“This is my second year here at the extension office, and we are partnering with Montgomery County Conservation to do this camp twice,” Graham said.
Graham highlighted some of the survival skills that will be taught to the participants in the camp.
“We are going to offer kayaking, we’ll teach them how to fish, and they’ll be taught how to tie the lures and the basics of fishing. They’ll also learn how to start a fire, and we’ll be roasting hot dogs and marshmallows for lunch,” commented Graham. “In the afternoon, the kids will make spears with Montgomery County Conservation naturalist Cassandra Alfstad, and they’ll also be taught plant identification. Alfstad will also be teaching the kayak portion of the camp, and myself and our summer interns Ashley Henneman and Delaina Olson will be leading the other portions.”
So far, the camp is about half-full, so plenty of spots are still available for prospective campers. Graham said the camp provides a nice educational opportunitity for kids before they go back to school, and its open to all.
“The camp isn’t just for kids in Montgomery County, everyone in our Southwest Iowa region is welcome to come to these day camps, and I think it’s great to see kids from different schools interacting and getting to know each other outside of school as well as learning some of these basic needs that they need to know,” explained Graham. “Recently we had a day camp on the wonders of nature for kindergarten through third graders. They got to learn about different animals, plants and habitats and do hands-on work outside at Viking Lake.  Having these opportunities outside of the classroom is really great for keeping their brains moving over the summer.”
Graham said she’s looking forward to sharing the information with a new batch of area kids.
“My favorite part is getting to know the kids and getting to work with them. I don’t get to see a lot of these kids because not all of them are in 4-H. This is open to all youth, so it’s a great opportunity to get to know them one-on-one and work with them,” Graham stated.
On top of the learning opportunity, Graham said the camp gives area youth a chance to do something outside of the house during the summer and makes them comfortable meeting new people.
“I think it’s beneficial. Getting the word out and getting them to come out and meet new kids and try new things are the biggest challenges. Sometimes the kids are scared to try new stuff. With this camp, they’ll get to try kayaking and fishing. These may be things they’ve never done before, so if we get them out there and get them to try it, it may turn into a new hobby of theirs,” advised Graham.
Feedback for some of the extension’s other camps has been overwhelmingly positive, and Graham expects the same from the survival camp.
“So far we’ve had our babysitting class and both of our kindergarten through third grade programs and I have received great feedback for both of those. The kids seem to love them, and we always have a great turnout. The kindergarten through third grade age group just seems to love coming to these programs.” Graham said.
Additionally, Graham said no offers of volunteer assistance will be turned down by the extension.
“We’re always looking for volunteers, be it someone who wants to donate some of their time for the camps, or just helping gather some of the supplies that we need as well,” Graham commented.
Last year, Graham said there weren’t many camps for kids ages 10 and up, and this is the first year of offering them since she started. She’s looking forward to the opportunity.
Registration is required. Anyone interested may call 623-2592 or email sagraham@iastate.edu to register or for more information.