SAN ANGELO – The March 15 registration deadline for the Texas Brigades wildlife leadership camps conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is fast approaching, said Dr. Dale Rollins, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist and the camps’ founder.
“This summer marks 24 years that the camps have been honing young leaders through the Texas Brigades curriculum,” said Rollins, who is based in San Angelo. “That’s the whole goal of the camps, to empower young people with the confidence and skills needed to assume professional leadership roles in the future.
“While our camps feature quail, deer, bass, redfish, ducks and livestock, the aim is to equip young people with the resources and determination needed to really make a difference in wildlife conservation and proper land stewardship throughout their lives.”
Rollins said all the camps held at various locations across the state share the focus of teaching youth leadership skills, natural resources conservation and proper land management. Each camp is limited to 20-30 students ages 13 through 17.
“The camps are designed to develop such life skills as critical thinking and team building through fun and interesting activities surrounding the particular camp’s species of wildlife, fisheries or livestock,” Rollins said.
Rollins said a “Coastal Brigade” is the latest camp offering. It will feature conservation issues associated with the Texas Gulf Coast.
The camp dates and locations are:
– Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade, Centennial Lodge, Coleman, June 11-15.
– South Texas Buckskin Brigade, Southern Star Ranch, Uvalde, June 12-16.
– South Texas Bobwhite Brigade, Buck Horn Creek Ranch, McCoy, June 24-28.
– Bass Brigade, Warren Ranch, Santa Anna, July 6-10.
– Waterfowl Brigade, BigWoods on the Trinity, Tennessee Colony, July 17-21.
– Ranch Brigade, Warren Ranch, July 18-22.
– North Texas Buckskin Brigade, Warren Ranch, July 24-28.
– Coastal Brigade, Sea Scout Base, Galveston, July 26-30.
The camps are all partnership efforts of AgriLife Extension, Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Texas Trophy Hunters Association, along with 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 $500 per cadet per camp, but sponsors are available to provide financial aid when requested, Rollins said.
Aimee Carrasco, 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 Texas Brigades program should be highly motivated, preferably over 21 years old and willing to serve as “covey,” “school,” “herd,” or “flock” leaders.
Applications may be completed online or downloaded at http://www.texasbrigades.org. For more information, contact Carrasco at acarrasco@texasbrigades.org or call 855-892-7447.