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The annual Northeast Indiana Conservation Camp is scheduled this year for August 2 - 4, at Camp Whitley, which is just northeast of Columbia City on Troy-Cedar Lake.  For years, the northeastern Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts have leased Camp Whitley to host their own three day conservation camp.

Camp is open to the first 70 boys and girls who complete and turn in an application.  Campers must be between the ages of 9 – 13.  The fee for the three day camp is $100.00.  If you are interested in sending your child please call your local Soil and Water Conservation District because many of them will help with the expense of your child attending camp.  For example, the Whitley County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will pay half of the camper’s fee if he or she is attending the conservation camp for the first time. This is a good camp for your child, if they have never attended a camp before since it is only three days long.

The camp program includes hands-on activities in wildlife, forestry, soils and water.  The campers will participate in a mini-envirothon, water safety program, team building activities, presentations by the Columbia City FFA Chapter, educational programs provided by the local SWCDs, scavenger hunt, program by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, bird house building, a program by the Fort Wayne Zoo, a visit from Indianapolis’s Silly Safaris, swimming, crafts and many more activities.

The campers will earn “Water Bucks” during camp which they will use at the end of the camp for an auction.  There is always a large variety of merchandise to purchase from such as basketballs, footballs, games and many more items. Every camper goes home with something from the Water Buck auction. 

Applications are available from the Whitley County Soil and Water Conservation District.  If you are interested and need more information or need the phone numbers of the Soil and Water Conservation District in your county, please call the Whitley County SWCD at 260-244-6266 ext. 3 and ask for Nadean. The deadline for camp applications will be July 23.