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The Ocala outdoor adventure camp occupies a fifty seven acre peninsula
on Lake Eaton in the Ocala National forest.
This summer camp for boys and girls
seeks to provide campers with the necessary skills and knowledge
to become better sportsmen and women
while instilling an awareness of firearm safety
and wildlife stewardship.
"The campers spend a week here at the youth camp
and during that time they have an opportunity to
do all kinds of outdoor activities."
All campers enjoy fishing,canoeing, swimming,
hiking and many other outdoor activities.
Outdoor skills and safety are taught through practical experience.
"All right, today we're going to start off by doing the deepwater recovery."
An experienced camp staff,
together with knowledgable FWC employees and volunteers
provide educational, fun filled learning experiences.
"It's a really cool camp and they always welcome you,
they always make you happy ... if you're sad you're
always jumping back up being happy
and they're really nice."
Wildlife and environmental education basics are taught
through fun, hands on activities
to inspire ethical and responsible behavior.
"The kids ... the kids are the reason why I'm here.
They learn so much.
There's some kids that come here that have never shot a gun before
and they are so shy and timid when they get here ... they're so scared
and by Thursday and Friday when they're out there
and they just have the biggest smile on on their face when they're done."
"The muzzle loader and the archery was lots of fun.
And the twenty-two was fun ... they were all fun."
Facilities are rustic yet comfortable
with air conditioned cabins and dining hall.
Most of the camp's classrooms consist of the lake,
docks, shooting ranges and natural areas.
Group activities are structured to encourage confidence,
teamwork and leadership skill building.
Returning and older campers participate in more advanced areas
and can even complete their hunter safety certification by weeks end.
The camp has numerous ranges, including archery
all designed to introduce youths to different aspects of firearm safety,
hunter safety and the shooting sports.
"If I was going to recommend this camp I'd tell them that
this is a good camp to go to
if you've never done hunting before and you want to start ...
it's a great camp to come to."
The camp has been offering action packed adventures
for more than fifty years
and it wouldn't be complete without the signature mud hike.
"It's actually a tradition that's been going on since the camp opened.
So ... they just kind of ... they get to get out there and get dirty.
The task is over so let's go play."
"Awesome!"
These traditions continue each summer
at the Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp.
To learn more about the camp and how to register,
visit MyFWC.com.