New York Conservation Officers Association - Youngsters enjoy DEC Camps

Youngsters enjoy DEC's Summer Camps and learn while having fun!

Each summer, our Association sponsors youngsters that want to attend the NYSDEC's Environmental Education Camps. There are four camps located across the state. Camp Colby on Lake Colby in the Adirondack Mountains, is near the village of Saranac Lake. Camp Rushford, near Rushford Lake in western New York, is in the 4500 acre Hanging Bog Wildlife Area. Camp DeBruce is near the village of Livingston Manor in the Catskill Forest Preserve, and Pack Forest is on a small lake near Warrensburg in the Adirondack Park.

Matt Pennington of Geneva, Zack Hullett of Canisteo, and Elizabeth Baker of Fairport proudly display certificates earned at Camp Rushford.

During the summer of 2001, we sponsored one youngster to each of these camps. Ryan Watt of Gardiner spent a week at Camp DeBruce. In a letter to NYCOA, Ryan said: "When my parents asked me what I liked the best, I couldn't decide because it was all great. Thanks again for sending me to Camp DeBruce

for a week I'll never forget." Matt Pennington of Geneva camped at Camp Rushford. In thanking NYCOA for giving him the opportunity to attend the camp, Matt said he made many new friends and enjoyed canoeing, walking on the bog, and night hikes. Also sponsored were Jerome Manigault of Middletown, who camped at Pack Forest and Ryan Dangler of Westmoreland, who spent his week at Camp Colby.

Find out about having NYCOA sponsor your child to a NYSDEC Camp