Deep in the Northwoods, Three Local Students Learn and Find Fun

Deep in the Northwoods, Three Local Students Learn and Find Fun

Three local students attended the ninth annual Sand Lake Conservation Camp held at Camp Bird near Crivitz, WI.  Sand Lake is a place where you build campfires and friendships, identify plants and community conservation needs, and have a lot of fun!  Camp Bird Youth Camp is located on scenic Sand Lake, a 20-acre lake with beaches, water access, hiking trails, a nature center, and log cabins which create the ultimate outdoor experience. 

The following students were awarded scholarships through Sauk County Conservation, Planning, and Zoning to attend the Sand Lake Conservation Camp: August Begalske, son of Jason and Heather Begalske, a seventh grader at Sauk Prairie Middle School; John Goeckermann, son of Kurt and Cheryl Goeckermann, a seventh grader at Jack Young Middle School in Baraboo; Max Koenig, son of Serge Koenig and Marcia Everts, a seventh grader at Jack Young Middle School.  They joined 85 other campers representing 27 Wisconsin and 3 Michigan counties.

The camp provides youth with positive outdoor educational experiences, helps them better appreciate and understand nature, and introduces them to the variety of opportunities in natural resources and conservation careers. 

Camp Bird’s lakeside location provided the perfect opportunity for water education. Campers attended sessions presented by local professionals that included aquatic macroinvertebrates, herptiles, wetland habitat, and water pollution/conservation.  In addition, campers gained new skills during “Camper’s Choice” which included topics such as trapping, geology, archery, canoeing, orienteering, leather crafting, and t-shirt design.  

Scholarships awarded to the students covered the costs for registration, meals, and lodging.   Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Education Coordinator Penny Pohle said, “It is important to encourage youth to be involved with conservation and connect with nature.  These camps are exciting and worthwhile events that help spark the child’s interest and awareness of the complexities in the natural environment.  Students are encouraged to take what they learned and perhaps become the next generation of conservation stewards.”  For more information about this program, please contact Penny at the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Department at 355-4839, ppohle@co.sauk.wi.us, or check out the Sauk County website at www.co.sauk.wi.us.