Wildlife Action raises conservation awareness with camps

Through their summer camps program, Mullins-based Wildlife Action Inc., has been raising awareness about the importance of natural resources since June. The fourth of five summer sessions began Sunday. Participants in the six-day trailblazer overnight camp at Fort Retch Wildlife Refuge and Resource Education Center offers campers, ages 12 through 16, an opportunity to develop outdoor skills such as canoeing, archery and fishing.

Camp director Frank Oliver said record 128 participants, ages six through 11, arrived for the first session and 258 camp visitors have attended this summers programs. The campers can also gain knowledge on conservation along with arts and crafts, while taking part in a number of activities.

“We do a lot more,” Oliver said. “We teach environmental education, outdoor skills, and more importantly a tradition of leadership,” he said, adding that a focus was to improve discipline, manners, strength and honor through teamwork. According to the Wildlife Action Web site, Fork Retch Refuge is a 57-acre site on the edge of the Little Pee Dee River. The facility includes two 15-bed lodges for boys and a 20-bed lodge for girls, including a fully stocked kitchen, picnic shelter, first-aid building and separate quarters for counselors near the campers’ lodges.

As many as 42 camp counselors are on duty during the camps, Oliver said. The camp sessions included a pioneer day camp and three overnight adventure camps. An outdoor heritage day camp will be the final session offered July 27 through July 31.

The camp provides a half-day of adventure to children ages nine through 14, while improving their understanding of the area’s natural resources. The deadline for submitting applications is July 20 and limited to 40 participants. Cost for the adventure camp is $150.

For information, write to Wildlife Action, Inc., P.O. Box 866 Mullins, 29574; telephone (843) 464-8473; or e-mail questions to .