The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that registration for its popular 2025 Summer Camps program will open on Sunday, March 23, at 1 p.m. The program offers week-long outdoor education and adventure experiences for children aged 11 to 17 at four residential camps across the state.
“DEC’s summer camps provide youth with hands-on lessons and workshops to develop outdoor skills, foster environmental stewardship, and connect with nature,” said DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. “We encourage families to sign up early for these unique opportunities and for organizations to sponsor future conservationists.”
Now in its 78th year, the program features activities like fishing, canoeing, archery, birding, hiking, and orienteering. Campers also engage in environmental education, including stream ecology, tree measurement, and wildlife studies, often venturing to state lands, nature museums, and fish hatcheries.
The camps—Camp Colby in Franklin County, Camp DeBruce in Sullivan County, Camp Rushford in Allegany County, and Camp Pack Forest in Warren County—each host seven one-week sessions from June 29 to August 15.
Special offerings include Camp Pack Forest’s Outdoor Adventure Week, designed for teens 14 to 17, which provides advanced outdoor skills training and career exploration in conservation science. Hunter education classes in gun, bow, or trapping are also available at select camps, with limited spots requiring advance registration.
The cost for one week is $350, including lodging, meals, trips, and a t-shirt. Families can register online via the DEC Summer Camps webpage, and organizations are encouraged to sponsor youth through the program. Additional details, including camp availability, are posted on the DEC website.
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