Daily News Update, Jan. 23, 2008

Texas Brigades youth camps to muster new recruits

Texas AgriLife Extension Service's Texas Brigades is mustering young cadets to participate in their summer camp program. "The camps stress leadership development and conservation of our natural resources," said Dr. Dale Rollins, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at San Angelo and camp originator.

"We teach life skills like critical thinking and team-building through fun and interesting activities that focus on a particular game species at each camp. Each camp usually has 30 youths ages 13 through 17."

This year's camps will be:

      ▪ Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade, June 14-18, Centennial Lodge, Coleman.

▪ South Texas Bobwhite Brigade, June 22-26, 74 Ranch, Campbellton.

▪ Bass Brigade, July 7-11, Buchanan Dam, Marble Falls.

▪ South Texas Buckskin Brigade, July 13-17, La Bandera, Carrizo Springs.

▪ North Texas Buckskin Brigade, July 20-24, Stasney's Cook Ranch, Albany.

▪ East Texas Feathered Forces Brigade, July 27-31, Pine Island, Lufkin.

"Parents are very complimentary of our program," said Helen Holdsworth, San Antonio-based Texas Brigades executive director. "They report seeing a positive difference in their child's work ethic, schoolwork, communication skills and attitude toward conservation after participating. Youth attending the Brigades consistently rate them as being the best camps they have ever attended."

Rollins said the camps are ideal for young people seeking a wildlife sciences career. "I tell parents the brigades offer an excellent start to a career in wildlife management," Rollins said. "The camps provide aspiring conservationists with a taste of their chosen profession, and introduce them to a network of professionals who serve as valuable contacts for them in the future."

The camps are co-sponsored by the Texas Wildlife Association, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, Quail Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Texas Deer Association, local soil and water conservation districts, private businesses, and landowners.

Tuition is $300 per cadet per camp, but sponsors are available to provide financial aid when needed, Rollins said.

"We're also on the lookout for highly motivated adults from 20 to 60 years of age who are willing to serve as 'covey' or 'herd' leaders," Rollins said. "They'll not only get a one-of-a-kind intensive workshop in the game species they choose, but more importantly they'll get a greater appreciation and optimism about today's youth and what a powerful impact they can have on conservation."

Applications are due by April 1. Applications and more information are available at http://www.texasbrigades.com or by contacting Holdsworth at 800-TEX-WILD or h_holdsworth@texas-wildlife.org.