Slots are filled up for club sponsorships, but anyone can still send a
youngster independently to a DEC youth camp.   It is a "best value" for the
yung'uns.  Info Follows.
Dave Barus


Tuesday April 1, 2003                  (518) 402-8000

APPLICATIONS FOR DEC SUMMER CAMPS NOW AVAILABLE
Camps Offer Unique Educational, Outdoor Experiences For Youth

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner
Erin M. Crotty today announced that applications for DEC's 2003 Summer
Environmental Education Camps are now available and encouraged families to
consider enrolling their children in the program.

"For more than 50 years, DEC's Environmental Education Camps have provided
New York's young people with a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy the
beauty of our natural resources, while learning the importance of
conservation," Commissioner Crotty said. "All our camps offer expert
instruction in a fun-filled environment, and will help young people learn
how to be strong stewards of our land, air and water."

The DEC Summer Camp Program is in its 56th year of operation, offering
week-long adventures in conservation education to State residents ages
12-17.  DEC operates three residential camps over an eight-week period
during the summer for children ages 12-14: Camp Colby in Saranac Lake,
Franklin County; Camp DeBruce in Livingston Manor, Sullivan County; and Camp
Rushford in Caneadea, Allegany County.

A fourth residential camp, Pack Forest in Warrensburg, Warren County, runs
for five weeks and features a special program of environmental study - The
Teenage Ecology Workshop - which is specifically targeted to campers 15-17
years of age.

DEC has also added an additional Returnee Week at Pack Forest for campers
ages 12-14. This program is offered during the sixth week of the camp
season, August 3rd - 9th.

Under the guidance of experienced DEC education camp staff, these programs
provide a week of activities that will acquaint campers with fields and
forests, and streams and ponds, helping them to uncover the interconnected
aspects of our natural world.  Campers will observe wildlife, discuss and
debate environmental issues, sample streams for microscopic life and explore
the brilliance of the night sky, while meeting new friends from across the
State.

Campers also will have time to pursue and improve their skills in a wide
variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, birdwatching, fly-tying,
canoeing, hiking, camping, orienteering, and hunter safety education.

The DEC Camp sessions begin June 29, 2003.  The cost per camper for a
one-week stay is $225.  Applications and an up-to-date number of  "Open
Slots" for each camp can be obtained via the Internet at www.dec.state.ny.us
. (On the DEC home page click on "Highlights." Then, in the green banner on
the left side of the page click on "DEC camp application." Finally, click on
"Youth Camps".)  Information can also be received by contacting DEC at: DEC
Camps, 2nd Floor, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4500; or by phone at
(518) 402-8014.  Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served
basis.

A schedule for the Summer Camps is listed below.


Week 1: June 29 - July 5  All Camps Open  Week 5: July 27 - August 2 (END of
Pack Forest for 15 -17 yr olds )
Week 2: July 6 - 12  Week 6: August 3 - 9 **
Week 3: July 13 - 19 Week 7: August 10 - 16
Week 4: (Returnee Week, All Camps): July 20 - 26      NO FIRST YEAR CAMPERS
Week 8: August 17 - 23 END of Colby, DeBruce & Rushford Camps

**Additional Returnee Week (NO first year campers) for 12-14 yr olds @ Pack
Forest