If you are 12 to 14 years old and want to learn about Vermont's wildlife and gain outdoor skills, consider attending one of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's Green Mountain Conservation Camps.

The department said that there are still plenty of openings for students this summer.

The one-week camp program is held at two locations - Lake Bomoseen in Castleton and Buck Lake in Woodbury.

Students are taught about fish and wildlife conservation, forestry, orienteering, swimming, canoeing, fishing, gun safety, and more in an attractive outdoor setting. Natural resource professionals come to the camp during the week to share information on their programs and take campers out for field activities.

Conservation Camps open June 20 and continue until August 20. Camp tuition is $200 for the week, including food, lodging and equipment.

Fish & Wildlife urges anyone interested to print a copy of the camp application from their website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) and send it in with a check.

Weeks With Openings: Buck Lake (Woodbury, VT) Boys June 20 – June 25 (36 openings) Boys June 27 - July 2 (17 openings) Girls July 5 – July 9 (49 openings) Boys July 18 – July 23 (60 openings) Boys Advanced Aug 8 – Aug 13 (26 openings) Boys Aug 15 – Aug 20 (41 openings)

Edward F. Kehoe Camp (Lake Bomoseen, VT)

Boys June 20 – June 25 (21 openings) Boys July 5 - July 9 (39 openings) Boys Aug 1 – Aug 6 (22 openings) Boys Aug 8 – August 13 (31 openings)

Girls Aug 15 – Aug 20 (33 openings)

For more information about Green Mountain Conservation Camps contact: fwGMCC@state.vt.us or call 802-241-3700.

Vermont's conservation camp program is unique because it is sponsored and directed by Fish & Wildlife Department professionals -- the same people who manage Vermont's fish and wildlife resources. Biologists, foresters, game wardens and conservation educators teach young people about Vermont's forests, wetlands and wildlife. The program's greatest strength is connecting young people to the outdoors.