4-H Youth Field Day

To the Editor:

At Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center we held our fifth Annual Youth Field Day on Saturday June 5th. Despite the wet start, we still had a great turnout and were able to continue with all scheduled activities. The weather actually cleared up just as we began registration and held off for most of the day. Children and adults alike enjoyed the many various activities such as the rifle and shotgun range, canoeing and kayaking, guided fishing on Lake Christopher, and fishing in our stocked trout pond. Our brand new sluice and geology station was also a big hit as well as our new Natural Resources building with extensive Wildlife and Forestry displays and activities. Kids were able to tour our gardens, and visit with the chickens, ducks and rabbit that all perform a role here in our organic gardens. The adults had just as much fun exploring the camp and trying something new and many registered their children for summer camp once their child had a chance to decide what program was right for them and what activities they enjoyed the most.

Some families traveled three to four hours to attend this event, and many had never been here before. We received great feedback on the program offerings and facility, as well as the great food served at lunch! We would like to thank all of our devoted staff for their hard work preparing for Youth Field Day and for teaching lessons throughout the day and leading activities. From making homemade ice cream, leading a Primitive Skills lesson, tying flies, or leading garden tours, you all did a great job! We would also like to offer a sincere thank you to all of our volunteer presenters that made this such a huge success: Larry Barnes with his live falconry demonstration, Emily Jones from IF&W for leading the Trout fishing, Maine Bowhunters Association/Archery, Ian Drew from Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, Maureen Libby from Sunday River Alpacas, David Chabot and Norm Lewis from the Maine Warden Service and his K-9 companion Clyde, Community Lakes Association, Joe Jack from Sebago Lake Anglers Association, Jim Mann from Mt. Mann jewelers for helping with our geology sluice, Jim Yarasitis from Trout Unlimited, Chris Manjouredes, Celia Broomhal, and Craig from IF&W for their assistance on the rifle range. A special thank you to Sophie Racine for all of her help in the garden!

Ron Fournier

Assistant Program Director, Bryant Pond 4-H Camp