Kid's Rangeland Training

 University of Idaho Extension, in cooperation with the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts, announces another week of summer excitement June 21-26 when the Natural Resources Camp welcomes Idaho’s 12- to 14-year-olds for its 51st year. Located at the Central Idaho 4-H Camp north of Ketchum, the 2010 Natural Resources Camp lets its youthful participants learn from expert instructors the importance of water, forestry, rangeland, soil and wildlife.

The hands-on event offers challenges—both mental and physical—through such activities as collecting stream insects, classifying soils, identifying trees, orienteering, preserving plants, tracking animals and stocking fish ponds. Teens watch a raptor demonstration, engage in debates and play educational games. Kellie Rey, the camp’s coordinator points out that there’s a hidden benefit when kids are having fun outdoors: “I think the fact the kids aren’t realizing that they’re learning while they’re having fun and they’re all kind of wrapped up together so while they’re learning and having a great time I think that instills the interest that agriculture’s not boring.”

 Agriculture’s not boring. That’s the message we have to get across to kids.