Registration for PCSWCD Natural Resource and Agriculture Summer Camps now open

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is a proud leader in educational youth programming in Piscataquis County and has been for 70 years. The staff at the PCSWCD is excited to announce that registration for both the Youth and Teen Natural Resource and Agriculture Summer Camps is officially open.

Photo courtesy of PCSWCD

SEASONAL FUN — Summer campers enjoy sunshine and fun during a past Agriculture Week of the Youth Natural Resources and Agriculture Summer Camp offered by the PCSWCD.

    Once again, the PCSWCD is offering a Natural Resources and Agriculture Summer Camp to ages 7-12. This camp is based out of Foxcroft Academy’s Student Center and runs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon. Natural Resources Week will be July 28–Aug. 1 and Agriculture Week will be Aug. 4-8. The youth camp is a great way for kids to learn more about diverse and beautiful natural resources and tour, taste and touch the expansive farms and farm products produced right here in Piscataquis County.
    New in 2014, the PCSWCD will be offering a Teen Natural Resources and Agriculture Summer Camp. With generous funding provided by the Maine Community Foundation’s Piscataquis County Fund, the PCSWCD will be offering this new full day, two week summer camp to provide continuous exciting learning opportunities for youth of all ages in the Piscataquis County region.
    Natural Resources Week will be July 7–11 and Agriculture Week will be July 14-18. This camp is structured with teens in mind and gets them outdoors and exploring the natural world and the exciting offerings from local farms. Additionally, the campers will learn from presenters representing the Maine Warden Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Maine Forest Service and local farmers how they became successful in their fields of work. This year, the PCSWCD is partnering with the Appalachian Mountain Club and taking the campers to beautiful Little Lyford Lodge for an overnight, fantastic programming and outdoor recreation. As an added bonus, the campers will be served delicious meals while staying at Little Lyford and have access to AMC’s outdoor equipment, knowledgeable staff and lodge accommodations.
    For the Teen Summer Camp, the PCSWCD is working with the STEM Guides Project to offer scholarships to families interested in financial assistance. It is a goal for the PCSWCD to make both camps affordable to families. The Lead Guide for the Dexter-Dover STEM Hub, Alyson Saunders, is thrilled to partner with the Conservation District to provide youth an opportunity to attend the summer camp.
    “As a Reach staff member and former teacher in the Dexter schools, I think the summer camp is a wonderful opportunity to significantly increase access to informal (out of school) STEM resources,” Saunders said. “It is a great way for youth to learn about science, technology, engineering and math as they relate to our natural ecology and working family farms.”
    The Conservation District’s Educational Coordinator Kacey Weber noted, “Piscataquis County has so much to offer our children. We are surrounded by beauty and our diverse farms and abundant natural resources are begging to be explored. Our Teen Summer Camp is a great way for teens to get outdoors and experience what our County has to offer, learn about sustainable agriculture, natural resource conservation, rewarding careers and have two weeks of summertime fun!”
    In addition to the scholarships provided by STEM and the Maine Community Foundation grant for the Teen Summer Camp, both camps are made possible due to support from the local community businesses, schools, and civic groups, the guest speakers who donate their time to put on presentations and also the farm families that host our youth. For more information about the PCSWCD’s Youth and Teen Natural Resources and Agriculture Summer Camps, how to register or how to apply for a scholarship, please contact the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District, 42 Engdahl Drive, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426, 564-2321 ext. 3, info@piscataquisswcd.org or www.facebook.com/PCSWCD