Deep Portage Summer Camps
Deep Portage offers great summer camps for kids ages 9-16.
Forkhorn: Youth Firearm Safety & Hunting Camps Ages 11-16
June 26-July 1, 2022
July 17-July 22, 2022
July 24-July 29 2022 (ALL-GIRLS)
August 7-August 12, 2022
Successful completion of this camp earns students their MN DNR Firearms Safety Certificate. By learning in a cooperative classroom, doing hands-on activities outside, and plenty of practice at our rifle range, you can be assured that your camper will come away with a high level of firearms safety, responsible hunting practices, and wildlife ecology skills. Although they will be busy with firearms safety training, campers will also have plenty of time for recreational and outdoor skills classes such as canoeing, fishing, survival, orienteering, rock climbing, and much more.
Note: For Summer 2022, due to increased demand in Firearms Safety we are recommending that only campers who need their Firearms Safety Certificate prior to camp sign up for Forkhorn I. Forkhorn I is not a prerequisite for Forkhorn II. If your camper has Firearms Safety prior to camp and wants to attend Forkhorn 1, we recommend waiting until spring to register and check availability. Thanks!
Upland Bird Camp Ages 12-16
July 31-August 5 2022
Upland Bird camp offers campers the opportunity to learn the basics of hunting upland game birds and improve their wing shooting skills. Classes cover: Upland bird biology from trained biologists, Daily wing shooting instruction on our 10 station sporting clay pigeon course, Dog training techniques. Ethical hunting techniques. Campers participate in an activity to learn how to respectfully gain permission on private lands.
Trained dogs are an important aspect of upland bird hunting so this course includes a field trip to Pine Shadows Kennel where students receive hands-on training with professional dog trainers to handle dogs in the field. Stations include: Flushing/pointing dog techniques in the field with live birds, Skeet shooting, Dog first aid basics
At one station, the Pine Shadows staff give each camper a puppy to hold onto for 45 minutes to teach them how to handle young dogs!
This is a great way to meet friends and learn about birds, dogs, and bird hunting. Each camper can expect to go about a case of shells by the end of camp on the shooting course.
*Students can get scholarships through the MDHA, Ruffed Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever, and local sportsmen’s/women’s clubs.
Izaak Walton League Camp All Ages, 9-14 Recommended
Sponsored by the Izaak Walton League of America, this summer camp does a little bit of everything. This is a family friendly camp; all family members and friends are welcome!
Outdoor recreation activities include: Fishing (fly fishing as well!), Canoe trip up the Boy River, Archery, .22 caliber rifle shooting, Climbing wall, Wilderness survival, Orienteering
Learning activities include: Wildlife ecosystems, Renewable energy systems, Bog walk, TEAM challenges, Arts and crafts, Campfire cookout dinner, Brick fired pizza dinner night!
This camp emphasizes natural resource conservation and sustainability and is a terrific camp to meet new friends and hang out with family!
For further information, (218)682-2325 or Deep-Portage.org
ATV Safety Training Classes: June 11th in Walker – Sponsored by Woodtick Wheelers ATV Club
Two ATV Safety Training Classes are scheduled in Walker for Saturday, June 11, 2022. They are a cooperative effort of the Cass County Sheriff’s Department and the Woodtick Wheelers ATV Club. The classes will be held at the Walker Area Community Center (WACC), 105 Tower Avenue. The first class is from 9 a.m. to noon, with classroom instruction and written quiz, followed by the hands-on riding portion of the class. The second class is 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please arrive 30 minutes early to allow for unloading ATVs, check-in and registration.
Class requirements: Prior to the class, students must complete the DNR’s at-home study course, which is on-line at http://offroad-ed.com/minnesota/. After completing the on-line course, students should print out their ATV Safety Voucher and bring it to the June 11th class. Those attending the class should provide their own Class 1 ATV, wear long pants, long-sleeve shirt, gloves and boots (no tennis shoes) and bring a helmet with goggles or face shield. Parents must sign a parent-release form, and attend the class with their students.
Pre-registration for the June 11th classes is required. To register, contact Craig Wadzink with the Woodtick Wheelers at 763-300-0094, email: cdwadzink@gmail.com. Please note: students will not be allowed to participate unless they have first completed the online study course. Upon successfully completing the testing and operating portion of the class, students will be given instructions to go to the DNR website, pay the on-line fee and print out their ATV Safety Certificate.
This ATV training class is geared toward operators ages 10-15, but is open to adults as well. For 10 and 11 year olds, the certificate becomes valid when they reach their 12th birthday. Students 12-15 who complete this course are able to legally operate ATVs with these restrictions: The operator must fit the machine; must make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way; and operate on state lands and waters, only when accompanied by a person 18 or older who has a valid driver’s license. Adults who are new to ATV riding are also encouraged to take the class. The Minnesota DNR reports a rise in the number of injury accidents among older adults who are riding ATVs for the first time.
In addition, anyone born after July 1, 1987, must complete the on-line study course before operating an ATV on public roads and trails; the riding portion is optional. Additional ATV Safety Training Classes scheduled around the state are listed on the MN DNR website.
If you have questions about regulations, local trails, and legal routes for ATVs in the area, please contact David Halsey at dvhalsey@gmail.com. You can also find more information at atvmn.org.
