Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contacts: Dr. Dale Rollins, 325-653-4576, d-rollins@tamu.edu
Helen Holdsworth, 855-TXBRIGS (855-892-7447), hholdsworth@texas-wildlife.org
SAN ANGELO – Registration for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Texas Brigades summer wildlife leadership camps program has begun, said Dr. Dale Rollins, camp coordinator.
“Summer seems a long way off with these ‘Blue Northers’ whipping across the state, but now is the time to start making plans,” Rollins said.
“It’s hard for me to believe, but this is our twenty-second year of turning out young leaders through the Texas Brigades program,” Rollins said. “It’s great to watch them mature and go on to assume professional leadership roles. And while our camps feature quail, deer, bass, ducks and beginning last year, livestock, our real aim is to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and drive to really make a difference in wildlife conservation and proper land management throughout their lives.”
Rollins said youth are taught leadership skills, natural resources conservation and proper ranch management at the camps held across the state. Each camp is limited to 20-30 students ages 13 through 17.
“The camps are designed to develop life skills such as critical thinking and team-building through fun and interesting activities that focus on a particular species of wildlife and now livestock,” Rollins said.
Shiloh Mullican, a junior in natural resources management at Texas Tech University, served as a Covey Leader at the Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade and said her involvement with the program was life-changing.
“I went into this adventure looking to gain experience, meet new people in the natural resource field and add diversity to my resume,” Mullican said. “Though I must say, what I got out of the Texas Brigades goes much deeper than a good resume.
“I learned things about life, people and quail and the list goes on,” she said. “This experience has led me to shift my life goals and plans, and instilled in me a passion for education. I am incredibly blessed and thankful to have been given this opportunity.”
The camp dates and locations are:
– Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade, June 15-19, Centennial Lodge, Coleman.
– South Texas Buckskin Brigade, June 16-20, Southern Star Ranch, Uvalde.
– South Texas Bobwhite Brigade, June 27-July 1, Buck Horn Creek Ranch, Pleasanton.
– Bass Brigade, July 8-12, Warren Ranch, Santa Anna.
– North Texas Buckskin Brigade, July 14-18, El Escondrijo Ranch, San Angelo.
– Waterfowl Brigade, July 21-25, BigWoods on the Trinity, Tennessee Colony.
– Ranch Brigade, July 15-19, Warren Ranch, Santa Anna.
The camps are a partnership effort of AgriLife Extension, Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, several universities, conservation groups, local soil and water conservation districts, private businesses, and individuals with an interest in wildlife and youth leadership development.
Tuition is $400 per cadet per camp, but Rollins said sponsors are available to provide financial aid when requested.
Helen Holdsworth, Texas Brigades executive director at San Antonio, said camp organizers are looking for adult leaders to help at all the camps.
“Adults interested in working with the Brigades program should be highly motivated, ages 20 to 60 years old and willing to serve as ‘covey,’ ‘school,’ ‘herd,’ ‘flock’ or ‘ranch’ leaders,” Holdsworth said.
“They’ll get a full helping of appreciation topped with growing optimism from having worked with these young people and seeing firsthand the powerful impact these young people can have on conservation in the future,” she said.
“One of the greatest compliments I receive regarding the Brigades comes from older folks who tell me they wish there had been programs like this when they were younger,” Rollins said. “These comments often come just after they’ve listened to one of our cadets ‘nail the landing’ at some public meeting.
“The confidence our programs instill in young people is palpable, and it is an adaptation that will serve them well regardless of their career choice.”
Katelynn Butler attended her first brigade camp last summer and had this to say about the camp: “My experience at the Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
“This camp brought me out of my comfort zone and widened my view on the environment and the wildlife that live in it. The Texas Brigades showed me the importance of conservation and the impact of our actions on others. I encourage any teen with an interest in the outdoors or wildlife conservation to attend one of the Brigade camps.”
Applications may be completed online or downloaded at http://www.texasbrigades.org . For more information, contact Holdsworth at hholdsworth@texas-wildlife.org or Kassi Scheffer at kscheffer@texas-wildlife.org or by calling 855-TXBRIGS (855-892-7447).
Registration deadline is March 15, Rollins said.
-30-