Youth Hunting Camp

Welcome to Lake and Trails Youth Hunting Camp, an immersive four-year program designed for youth 10 years and older to cultivate a deep appreciation for outdoor skills and ethical hunting practices. Each year, campers will acquire new skills through direct range instruction and educational courses taught by certified instructors and Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers.  It is imperative that campers attend all classes on their schedules. Attendance is taken seriously. An adult/parent/guardian is required to attend all classes with their youth, ensuring a shared learning experience that strengthens family bonds. Come rain or shine, our camp is committed to providing an unwavering educational adventure in the world of hunting. Join us and embark on the ultimate journey in hunting education!

Check-in begins on Thursday evening at 7 pm. We encourage early arrivals as parking is very limited. Check-in takes place on the deck of the main dining hall, where students and parents/guardians will receive a copy of the camp map, their schedule for the weekend, and their cabin assignment. Meals are not provided on Thursday. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided on Friday and Saturday, along with evening snacks. A  light breakfast will be served on Sunday before departure. Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks if desired.  Sleep arrangements are dorm-style with bunk beds. Campers are required to bring their own pillow, sleeping bag, bath towels, and necessary toiletries to ensure a comfortable stay. Please note that there is no WiFi available, and phone service is very poor, encouraging campers to disconnect and fully immerse themselves in the outdoor experience. Additionally, the use of golf carts, ATVs, or cars to go from class to class is not permitted. A tractor-trailer picks up and drops off campers at stations too far to walk. 

As part of our commitment to community and responsibility, everyone is expected to participate in camp cleanup on Sunday morning before the closing ceremony. Your active involvement ensures a memorable and enjoyable experience for all.  Lake and Trails Hunting Camp is not just a program; it's a transformative journey that equips young hunters with the knowledge and skills needed for a lifelong connection to the great outdoors. Join us for a weekend filled with education, camaraderie, and the joy of outdoor adventure! 

In the first year, campers embark on the journey by completing the Hunter Education course and taking the test to obtain their Hunters Certification. Engaging in a variety of range activities including air rifles, muzzleloaders, shotguns, pistols and archery, campers lay the foundation for a lifetime of responsible hunting.  The campers will also make medicine bags at the primitive living camp site and learn basic water safety on Leesville Lake. 

As campers progress to the second year, they explore diverse ranges and participate in waterfowl and trapping clinics. Canoeing adventures, taxidermy artistry, basic map reading, and crafting their own knives add layers to their outdoor expertise.  

The third year sees campers tackling advanced challenges with activities such as an exhilarating 3D archery course, sporting clays, trap setting, and in-depth clinics on waterfowl, turkey, and knife safety. 

In the pinnacle fourth year campers, will attend a gun dog and pheasant clinic in preparation for their live pheasant hunt, the highlight of camp! While also revisiting various ranges, campers will also pack in deer processing, turkey and duck clinics, trapping clinic, the high power riffle range, advanced cooking and a map reading course.

Campers who complete all four years of the program, have the chance to return as volunteer junior instructors. Volunteers can work alongside their favorite instructors and stations, continuing to teach hunter safety to new generations of kids, just as they experienced during their time at the camp. This is not just an education; it's an invitation to become a leader in outdoor knowledge and pass on the skills and values learned over the years, with the potential to inspire and guide others on their own journey in hunting education!