The Florida Sportsmen Conservation Association will host its annual Outdoor Youth Day at the Everglades Youth Camp in the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day’s goal is to educate children about the many recreational opportunities available in local natural areas.
“We want to introduce kids to the outdoors, especially in this day and age, and see airboats and swamp buggies,” said Steve Stroh, a board member of the FSCA. “We’ve got some shooting stations where the kids can shoot shotguns and muzzle loaders, .22 rifles, archery, canoeing, animal displays, barn animal displays — there’s quite a bit of different stuff out there for the kids to introduce them to the outdoors.”
Activities also include fishing, pony rides and demonstrations from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.
More than 1,500 children of all ages are expected to enjoy the various events. A $10 entrance fee covers all activities. Refreshments will be available for sale.
Stroh said he will personally assist on the shotgun range, adding that attendance is relative to the weather.
“One year, we had only about 800 [attend] because it was raining,” he said. “Last year, we didn’t do it because we had to shut down due to COVID-19.”
He added that they can always use volunteers to help with activities.
“We get a lot of high school kids come out and do their volunteer hours,” Stroh said.
He added that the all-volunteer FSCA seeks donations and works with the South Florida Water Management District to ensure its lands will have as many recreational opportunities as possible. The group also continues to participate in Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission-sponsored youth hunting programs.
The FSCA’s goal is to unify and build upon individual strengths of a diverse group of people who share a common interest in protecting and restoring the unique natural resources of the state so that present and future generations can enjoy its economic, social, recreational, ecological and aesthetic benefits.
The FSCA’s intent is to work toward the restoration of natural areas while promoting legitimate public use of these areas, and protecting, restoring and enhancing the environment by encouraging wildlife preservation and water quality.
The Everglades Youth Camp in the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area is located at 12100 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. To get there, take Seminole Pratt Whitney Road north to Stumpers Grade Road and turn left.
For more information, or to make a donation, follow the FSCA at www.facebook.com/floridasportsmenconservation or at www.floridasportsmenconservation.com.
The J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, managed by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, is 60,330 acres, open to a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including wildlife viewing, hunting, and a network of trails and a boardwalk through a cypress wetland. The birding and wildlife trail is home to diverse wildlife.
