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Rod, Gun & Game: Winter Wonderland, camps available for children
Thursday January 26, 2012 | By:Forrest Fisher
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This weekend, the Reinstein Woods is offering a winter wonderland adventure for kids and their families.
Located at 93 Honorine Drive off Como Park Boulevard in Cheektowaga, the Dr. Victor Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve Environmental Education Center offers classrooms and an exhibit area. The outdoor and wildlife recreational complex is located on 292 acres of forests, ponds and wetlands, all surrounded by suburban development. Stiglemeier Park is located adjacent to the south side of the preserve.
This Saturday, the public is invited to visit Reinstein Woods for the annual Winter Wonderland in the Woods. Guided winter nature walks are set for 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Kids can make winter nature crafts such as pine cone bird feeders, snow globes and wildlife track pictures.
Snowshoes and cross-country skis are available for a free trial in the demonstration area and can also be rented to hit the trails.
Visitors can learn about ice fishing and winter survival techniques. Folks can try out the “energy bike” and learn how to “go green” in the winter.
There is no registration required for this event, but more information is available at 683-5959. The Winter Wonderland event is officially scheduled for 1 – 4 p.m.
NYS-DEC summer camp opportunities
In the old days, the only way to go to summer camp was as a Boy or Girl Scout. Each summer, I looked forward to Boy Scout summer camp at Camp Scouthaven or Camp Schoellkopf. We had to set up tents, dig a fire pit, dig a trench around the tent in case it rained, hunt up kindling and firewood and then cook something to eat for every meal. It was a workout! It’s not quite like that today at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation summer camp, Camp Rushford.
The facilities are modern at Camp Rushford, activities are organized and campers learn about wildlife dynamics, different animal and bird habitats, and human impacts on the environment. The kids eat well in a cafeteria-kitchen.
Campers learn about science, solve challenges, play games, keep a journal with the option to go catch a butterfly, a fish or a salamander and learn how all life is interconnected today. They can also take the hunter safety or archery safety course and learn even more about how to stay safe and survive in the wild.
Camp Rushford is situated on the 4,500 acre Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area in Allegany County about 2 miles southwest of Rushford Lake.
The summer program is for youths ages 11 - 13 and 14 - 17 years old. The two programs are offered in separate weeks. Kids need to be 11 by Dec. 31, 2012 to qualify.
Camp Rushford is the only DEC camp specifically designed and built as a conservation education camp. The two main buildings are constructed of logs salvaged from the Adirondacks after the blowdown of 1950. Rushford opened as a boys’ camp in 1952 and began coeducational operation in 1983. Boys and girls occupy separate cabins and learn about group dynamics away from home.
All environmental education camp counselors have at least two years of a college education in natural or biological sciences, natural resource conservation, environmental education or primary and secondary education. In addition, counselors are each certified in first aid and CPR/AED. All staff members have had undergone background checks.
East Aurora Fish and Game, West Falls Conservation Society, the Southtowns Walleye Association, the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen and many other groups sponsor as many six or seven kids each year, and you don’t need to be a member at most of these groups. The groups are often unable to locate six or seven kids who meet the age requirements and are able to go.
For more information on the DEC summer camps, visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html.
Outdoor calendar:
Jan. 28: Frank Privitere Memorial Rabbit Hunting Derby, weigh-in, 4 - 6 p.m., Legion Post 63, 144 Kirby Ave., Lackawanna. For more details, call 602-5017.
Jan. 28 - 29: Greater Olean Outdoor Recreation and Sports Show, Daniel Carter Events Center, Allegany, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.oleanny.com for more information.
Jan. 31: Junior Olympic Archery Development Program for youths 6 - 18 years, open to public, 6 - 10 p.m., West Falls Conservation Society, 55 Bridge St. Call 941-9393 for more information.
Feb. 4 - 12: Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, State Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, Pa. Visit www.easternsportshow.com for more information.
Send information to be published 10 days in advance to nugdor@yahoo.com.
Located at 93 Honorine Drive off Como Park Boulevard in Cheektowaga, the Dr. Victor Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve Environmental Education Center offers classrooms and an exhibit area. The outdoor and wildlife recreational complex is located on 292 acres of forests, ponds and wetlands, all surrounded by suburban development. Stiglemeier Park is located adjacent to the south side of the preserve.
This Saturday, the public is invited to visit Reinstein Woods for the annual Winter Wonderland in the Woods. Guided winter nature walks are set for 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Kids can make winter nature crafts such as pine cone bird feeders, snow globes and wildlife track pictures.
Snowshoes and cross-country skis are available for a free trial in the demonstration area and can also be rented to hit the trails.
Visitors can learn about ice fishing and winter survival techniques. Folks can try out the “energy bike” and learn how to “go green” in the winter.
There is no registration required for this event, but more information is available at 683-5959. The Winter Wonderland event is officially scheduled for 1 – 4 p.m.
NYS-DEC summer camp opportunities
In the old days, the only way to go to summer camp was as a Boy or Girl Scout. Each summer, I looked forward to Boy Scout summer camp at Camp Scouthaven or Camp Schoellkopf. We had to set up tents, dig a fire pit, dig a trench around the tent in case it rained, hunt up kindling and firewood and then cook something to eat for every meal. It was a workout! It’s not quite like that today at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation summer camp, Camp Rushford.
The facilities are modern at Camp Rushford, activities are organized and campers learn about wildlife dynamics, different animal and bird habitats, and human impacts on the environment. The kids eat well in a cafeteria-kitchen.
Campers learn about science, solve challenges, play games, keep a journal with the option to go catch a butterfly, a fish or a salamander and learn how all life is interconnected today. They can also take the hunter safety or archery safety course and learn even more about how to stay safe and survive in the wild.
Camp Rushford is situated on the 4,500 acre Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area in Allegany County about 2 miles southwest of Rushford Lake.
The summer program is for youths ages 11 - 13 and 14 - 17 years old. The two programs are offered in separate weeks. Kids need to be 11 by Dec. 31, 2012 to qualify.
Camp Rushford is the only DEC camp specifically designed and built as a conservation education camp. The two main buildings are constructed of logs salvaged from the Adirondacks after the blowdown of 1950. Rushford opened as a boys’ camp in 1952 and began coeducational operation in 1983. Boys and girls occupy separate cabins and learn about group dynamics away from home.
All environmental education camp counselors have at least two years of a college education in natural or biological sciences, natural resource conservation, environmental education or primary and secondary education. In addition, counselors are each certified in first aid and CPR/AED. All staff members have had undergone background checks.
East Aurora Fish and Game, West Falls Conservation Society, the Southtowns Walleye Association, the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen and many other groups sponsor as many six or seven kids each year, and you don’t need to be a member at most of these groups. The groups are often unable to locate six or seven kids who meet the age requirements and are able to go.
For more information on the DEC summer camps, visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html.
Outdoor calendar:
Jan. 28: Frank Privitere Memorial Rabbit Hunting Derby, weigh-in, 4 - 6 p.m., Legion Post 63, 144 Kirby Ave., Lackawanna. For more details, call 602-5017.
Jan. 28 - 29: Greater Olean Outdoor Recreation and Sports Show, Daniel Carter Events Center, Allegany, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.oleanny.com for more information.
Jan. 31: Junior Olympic Archery Development Program for youths 6 - 18 years, open to public, 6 - 10 p.m., West Falls Conservation Society, 55 Bridge St. Call 941-9393 for more information.
Feb. 4 - 12: Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, State Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, Pa. Visit www.easternsportshow.com for more information.
Send information to be published 10 days in advance to nugdor@yahoo.com.
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