Children have fun camping and learning too

Tina Kennedy
South Peace News

Over twice as many children registered in this year's Boreal Forest Discovery Camp that concluded July 19 with tree planting and a hotdog roast at the Stout River Dam.

"It was a huge success this year with over 48 campers registered between Slave Lake and High Prairie," says M.J. Munn-Kristoff, forest education coordinator for the Lesser Slave Forest Education Society. "Slave Lake's camp was full with 30 campers, we even had a waiting list."

High Prairie's camp saw 18 campers registered.

"This was very good compared to last year's camp where we only had seven campers," says Kristoff. "Last year we had to shuttle the seven campers back and forth to Slave Lake. This year we were able to run two very successful camps."

The High Prairie camp began on July 15 with the registrants gathering to know each other, play games and familiarize themselves with the rules. In the afternoon Louisa Rich took them on a guided ecology walk through the Jackpines.

The second day was spent at the Jackpines where the children identified plants, animals and dirt pits at the Jackpines.

On July 17 the campers were split into two groups. One group participated in bark carving at the Agriplex, the other group identified bugs, played games and did orienteering. They switched in the afternoon.

July 18 was spent canoeing at Shaw's Point. The camp concluded at the Stout River Dam with a forestry day. Campers took measurements and learned management and reforestation and forest protection. Each camper also planted 15 trees supplied by Buchanan Lumber and Tolko Industries.

Kristoff was pleased with the camp's success.

"These camps are a success because of all the different resource people who volunteer their time to teach the campers something new everyday. The campers have so much fun they do not even realize that they are learning at the same time."

The camp was accredited this year by the Alberta Camping Association. Certification assures all parents that all safety and health procedures are being employed the camp to ensure the safety and security of each child.