Fishing/hunting camp for kids

[wooly1]

My 12 year old boy has expressed an interest in going to a hunt/fish camp. Is there a good camp in Minnesota with this type of curriculum?

[fishermn]

The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association hosts a program called "Forkhorn" for youth hunters. I believe they offer classes for various ages. Check out their HSOforum for more info.

I havent seen anything comparable with regard to fishing...

[CodyDawg]

Check out Deep Portage. They are the ones that do the camp, the MDHA sponsor it or send kids to it or something. Deep Portage does a lot of stuff including and upland camp that Pheasants Forever sends kids to. I know a few who have personally done it and said it was fantastic.

[wooly1]

Thanks for the responses. Do either of you have more info, like HSOforum or name and city for me to track down more info. Is Deep Portage the name of the camp or town.

Thank again.

[FOOT]

There use to be a place called "Camp FIsh" but I am pretty certain it closed several years ago. Too bad I sent both of my children to it and they had a ball. If I'm not mistaken the Linder brothers had a hand in it or would show up and help teach techniques.

The kids gained a lot of knowledge on fish and fishing. It's just too bad the camp still isn't in existance.

You might want to check out Eagle Bluff in SE Minn. There phone number is 888-800-9558 or www.eagle-bluff.org. They have a number of different "camps" going on including fishing and hunting.

[CodyDawg]

The HSOforum...http://www.deep-portage.org/

It is in Hackensack MN.

[anchor man]

Hey Foot,

When did your kids go to Camp Fish. I went to each of the 4 levels there. Must have been around the late 80's. Too bad it's not around anymore, it was a blast..

[wooly1]

CodyDawg and FOOT,

Thanks for more specifics. I had actually heard of the Camp Fish but could not find any info on the net about it. Googling didn't get me any closer, thus my call for help to my fellow anglers.

It's too bad it closed down. I thought I had heard about it as recently as last year. I must have been mistaken. Time flies, it was probably years ago.

Thanks for the leads. I'll check into the Deep Portage and Eagle Bluff programs. My older daughters and 12 year old son have been to Eagle Bluff for middle school program and they loved the time spent there with their calsses.

Thanks to all you have replied.

[FOOT]

I wouldn't say for certain that Camp Fish has closed down, I just heard from a freind that it closed a couple of years ago but I have no first hand knowledge. I can't find anything about it on-line either.

Anchor Man my kids went in the early 80's. They didn't take all 4 levels but they did enjoy their time there. If I remember correctly they each went 2 years in a row.

[anchor man]

I believe it was called Fish Tech after Camp Fish closed down. Then from there it shut down for good. Not exactly how long ago that was

[irvingdog]

There is NO substitute for Camp Dad, or Camp Mom.......

Tents are cheap. Memories are priceless.....

[RK]

Hiya,

Camp Fish closed down in 1992. Sad, sad day when it did. I worked there from 1987 till it closed. Got to fish, teach fishing, spend every day and night with 28 other fishing lunatics (some of them are still among the best anglers I've ever known), and met some wonderful kids and parents, some of whom I'm still close to a decade and change later. Best summer job in recorded history as far as I'm concerned...

Lots of guys who worked there have found their way into the industry too. I'm an outdoor writer (Editor of Esox Angler Magazine, muskie columnist for MN Outdoor News, contributor to In-Fish and some other magazines), Dan Craven is a guide and outdoor writer, Bob Jensen has a TV show, Charlie Moore is Tournament Director for the PWT...list goes on. I still run into 'kids' (some of them have their own kids now - heh) who went there. Foot - probably knew your kids, and Anchor Man, depending on when you were there, may have known you as well.

Now, you might want to check into the MinnAqua Program. It's an aquatic education run by the DNR and U of M, and it's a pretty good program. They've used some of the curicculum from Camp Fish off and on ove the years.

Of course, you'll probably have to wait a while to check into it. Imagine they're getting ready to fold up the tents when the givt. shuts down...thanks a bunch, elected officials....

Cheers,

RK

[wooly1]

irvingdog,

Camp Dad and Mom, with my children, is experienced regularly and often. This is not a substitute for those experiences.

Summer is long and he would rather be in the outdoors than watch TV.

Didn't think I'd have to justify a boy's desire for an independent outdoor experience here. Perhaps you were speaking in generalities.

[Wave Runner]

My recommendation is Camp Menogyn run by the YMCA. It's in the BWCA and focused on canoe trips and camping. When I went there as a kid, there was a lot of fishing...

[wooly1]

Thanks Wave Runner.