CAMP PROGRAM WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Department of Fish and Game Director Donald Koch recently awarded the Director’s Achievement Award to George Oberstadt of California Waterfowl.  Captain Roy Griffith, Administrator of California’s Hunter Education program presented the award to Oberstadt at the association’s recent Daddy Daughter Dinner. 

Cpt. Griffith said, “George has taken hunter education to a new level with the youth camps program.  In addition to a state Hunter Education course, youth in the program are given the opportunity to shoot rifles, shotguns, band waterfowl and even build wood duck boxes.  The goal of hunter education is to develop safe conservation minded hunters who are ambassadors to the non-hunting community.  George’s camps are a huge step forward in helping us attain this goal”.

Hunters provide significant funding for wildlife conservation.  It is a constituency willing to pay and fight for wildlife’s long-term survival. The goal of California Waterfowl’s camps program is to recruit and retain young hunters so that critical conservation programs will continue to be funded in the future. 

The association’s statewide programs include hunter education camps, junior waterfowl hunts, shooting clinics and outdoor adventure days.  In 2008, more than 45 events helped over 800 youths get actively involved in the great outdoors. 

“Kids going through California Waterfowl’s programs are learning to be safe, responsible hunters and shooters in exciting outdoor locations all over the state.  Even more importantly for the future, they are learning that in order for there to be wildlife, the next generation must remain committed to and get out and work to sustain wildlife populations in California,” stated Oberstadt. 

“George has done a fantastic job in creating a safe and fun learning environment for youths who are interested in hunting,” said California Waterfowl President Bob McLandress. “We want to be sure that new hunters have a solid foundation of good safety habits and an understanding of their responsibility to serve as conservation stewards – and George has built a great team of volunteer experts and partners who model these values.”

California Waterfowl’s education program also reaches many thousands of youngsters each year who do not hunt but who want to learn about waterfowl and wetlands. The association’s education and conservation efforts all work together to create and maintain healthy wildlife and habitats for the future.

California Waterfowl’s Youth Camp Program is supported by the Bonderson Family Foundation, the Foothills Foundation, The Hofmann Foundation, Cabela’s, The NRA Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and National Wild Turkey Federation, and others.  For more information about these and other exciting opportunities to get actively involved in the great outdoors, click here>>

CWA Youth Camp Program Sponsors

Cabela's           Foothills Foundation         STEP OUTSIDE        The NRA Foundation

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation