MONTPELIER, Vt. -- If you are 12 to 14 years old and want to learn about Vermont's wildlife and gain outdoor skills next summer, consider attending one of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's Green Mountain Conservation Camps.

The one-week camp program is held at two locations -- Lake Bomoseen in Castleton and Buck Lake in Woodbury. Campers participate in hands-on learning experiences about fish and wildlife conservation, ecology, forestry, orienteering, safe firearm and archery techniques, swimming, canoeing, fishing and more in an attractive outdoor setting. Natural resource professionals come to the camp during the week to share information on their programs and take campers out for field activities.

Conservation Camps open June 21 and continue until August 21. Tuition is $250 for the week, including food, lodging and equipment. Please check the Fish & Wildlife website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) for general information as well as information about partial and full scholarship availability. Information about the program and an online application can be found under "Education and Training" on the left side of the home page. A printable application also is available.

For more information about Green Mountain Conservation Camps contact: fwgmcc@state.vt.us or call 802-828-1460.

Vermont's conservation camp program is unique because it is sponsored and directed by Fish & Wildlife Department professionals -- the same people who manage Vermont's fish and wildlife resources. Working biologists, foresters, game wardens, and conservation educators teach young people about Vermont's forests, wetlands and wildlife. The program's greatest strength is connecting young people to the outdoors. The camp program is sponsored in part through a grant from the Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program.

-30-

Media Contact: Alison Thomas, 802-371-9975