All of Kentucky’s Summer Conservation Camps Have Been Cancelled Due to COVID-19
In order to protect campers, families, and staff, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Rich Storm decided to cancel all their summer camp experiences. The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources runs and operates Camp Robert Webb, Camp Earl Wallace, and Camp John Currie.
About the Summer Conservation Camps:
CAMP HISTORY
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has been involved in conservation education camping since 1946.Â
+ Camp John Currie, located on Kentucky Lake outside of Benton, Kentucky opened in 1949.
+ Â Camp Earl Wallace, located on Lake Cumberland outside of Monticello, Kentucky opened in 1951.Â
+ Camp Robert C. Webb, located on Grayson Lake outside of Grayson, Kentucky opened in 1969.
*An average of 4,500 Kentucky students attend our three camps each year.
SUMMER SESSIONS
Each camp operates nine weeks every summer (June through August) with a capacity of 200 campers per week per camp. Camp is open to all Kentucky students who are in grades 4-6 and NOT older than 13 years. Applications are distributed during Conservation Education classes in February and are also available online.
Campers are transported to camp by bus on Monday morning and return home on Friday. Campers are picked up Monday and dropped off Friday at a predetermined location in their home or adjacent county. Transportation is arranged by KDFWR personnel through local school districts or by charter bus service. The camp fee includes transportation costs.
Each conservation camp has eight air conditioned cabins which house 25-30 campers. In addition, there are staff quarters, bathhouses, a kitchen and dining room, camp director’s office, sick bay/first aid station, snack shop, nature building, and shelters. We also have a playground, basketball court, volleyball court, badminton court, outdoor assembly area, nature field trail, rifle range, trap range, hunter safety field course, archery range, archery field course, lake swim crib, boat dock, storage and maintenance buildings.
Permanent staff consists of camp director, conservation educators, camp superintendent, and maintenance staff. Summer staff includes counselors, summer educators, and cooks. All summer staff college-aged students that are screened, hired and trained to chaperon the campers and assist the program leaders with camper safety, instruction, and supervision.
CAMP ACTIVITIES
Campers arrive at camp Monday morning and return home on Friday. Scheduled activities include:
- Nature
- Archery
- Boating
- Outdoor Survival
- Firearm Safety
- Fishing/Casting
- Swimming
Successful completion of a camp activity entitles the camper to an achievement patch, certificate or award. Additionally, campers may earn Kentucky’s Hunter Education Certificate. This ‘orange card’ is honored in all states that require a hunter education card. Each evening, campers will also have time to enjoy their favorite playground activities such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, ping-pong, etc.
Although unfortunate, as many of Kentucky’s children look forward to going to summer camp, the move was made solely to protect everyone involved. Camp refunds can be requested through May 15th on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website here.
