Big Pine Gun Club hosts popular conservation camp

WILLIMANTIC — The Big Pine Gun Club Youth Foundation sponsored its first Conservation Camp the week of June 24 at the Big Pine Gun Club in Willimantic. Fifteen campers, aged 12-17, participated in the week-long camp.

Campers learned to safely handle, load, unload, and shoot rifles, shotguns, crossbows, and standard archery equipment. They also practiced survival skills in the Maine woods and reviewed basic first aid.

All campers successfully completed the intensive program earning certifications in NRA Rifle, NRA Shotgun, and Maine Hunter Safety for Firearms, Archery, and Crossbow. All of the participating volunteer instructors were certified NRA instructors or State of Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Hunter Safety instructors. Over 30 volunteers assisted with the camp providing instruction, supervision, demonstrations, and food preparation.

Campers and their parents indicated students enjoyed the camp and they would all recommend the camp to a friend. Campers not only enjoyed the shooting activities but also reported they enjoyed the lunch discussion topics. Among the favorite lunch topics were trapping techniques as well as learning about the role of local wildlife biologists. Volunteers also reported they enjoyed watching the campers participate and seeing the smiles that accompanied camper success.

The camp was valued at $700 per student. However, due to generous support, campers were only charged $150 each to participate in the all-inclusive camp. The Big Pine Gun Club, Big Pine Gun Club Youth Foundation, and several sponsors helped cover the costs associated with the camp. The generous sponsors included Birge and Beth Sigety, Hardwood Products Co., Indian Hill Trading Post, Kimball Insurance LLC, Lovell’s Guilford Hardware, McKusick Petroleum Co., Moosehead Trail Trading Post, Natural Resource Education Center at Moosehead, Prouty Auto Body, Will’s Shop n’ Save, and Berg Activewear.

For more information about the Big Pine Gun Club and Big Pine Gun Club Youth Foundation, please visit the website at www.bigpinegunclub.org.