NWTF JAKES Camp a Must For Outdoorsy Kids

NWTF JAKES Camp a Must For Outdoorsy Kids

COUNCIL GROVE – Know a kid who loves being outdoors? Have they shown an interest in fishing, camping, or shooting a bow? If this sounds like a young person you know, sign them up for the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) 2018 Kansas State JAKES Camp, Sept. 29-30. Open to youth 17 and younger, the event will be conducted at the White Memorial Camp, 6 miles north of Council Grove, off Highway K-177.

On Saturday, participants can select up to six activities from a list that includes fishing, arts and crafts, JAKES Take Aim BB gun shooting, trap shooting, still target shooting, archery, canoeing, and wild game calling with World Quail Calling Champion and Grand National Turkey Gobbling Champion, Ralph Duren.

Saturday evening, attendees can participate in the annual NWTF Kansas State JAKES (ages 12 and under) and Xtreme JAKES (ages 13 to 17) turkey calling contest. Prizes totaling $450 in Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shops gift cards will be awarded to the top three finishers in both divisions.

Sunday opens with Pastor Gary Cargill’s sunrise service. After the service, participants will enjoy Duren’s “Calls of the Wild” program, and a program on trapping and furharvesting from members of the Kansas Fur Harvesters Association.

The cost of the event is $25 for JAKES members, $35 for non-JAKES members (which includes a JAKES membership), and $25 for adults. Options for Saturday night include commuting, tent camping (bring your own tent), RV camping (a few RV hook-ups are available) or for an additional fee, staying in a resident cabin (bunk beds and shared bath). Boys and girls will have separate cabins.

The camp cost includes lunch and supper on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Meals will be prepared by the White Memorial Camp kitchen staff. All youth 17 and younger will receive a commemorative t-shirt and win a prize in a drawing on Sunday. Some lucky youngster will win a shotgun.

The NWTF Kansas State JAKES Camp was awarded the "Best State JAKES Event" in 2012, the "Best Special JAKES Event" in 2013 at the NWTF National Convention in Nashville, Tenn., and "Honorable Mention" in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

For more information and to register, contact Gib Rhodes at (620) 437-2012.

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