Summer is upon us, and with that comes all the outdoor summer activities of ‘what to try’ and ‘what we did in that past and want to repeat.’ But whatever we do, we want to spend time outdoors, listening and watching nature while the wind blows on our backs. Fishing and frog gigging are two summer activities that can help connect people with their outdoor experiences. The MDC (Missouri Department of Conservation) offers a youth class on these two activities. With that, the requirements for a class are increased. They want written essays!
What Is Happening?
The MDC is hosting a fishing and frog gigging workshop for students. Although there is no monetary cost to attend, students must submit an essay before they can attend the class. The 10 selected participants will get instruction in trout fishing and frogging, including hands-on opportunities to try their skills. Participants will also learn how to clean frogs and trout and prepare them for cooking on a campfire.
Who Can Attend?
This class is open to students between the ages of 8 and 15. Each one needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Where And When Is The Class?
The clinic is scheduled for July 1 at Maramec Spring Park in Phelps County, near Rolla. The clinic will be from 5 to 11 p.m. and focus on trout fishing and frog gigging.
Essay
This workshop is limited to 10 participants and a parent or guardian. To participate, attendees must write an essay about why they should be selected to participate in this clinic. Their essays can include details on why they’re interested in trout fishing and frog gigging and want to learn about them.
MDC Conservation Educator Dwight Warnke said,
I also wanted to add just a bit of competitiveness to this clinic with the essay contest [1].
The essays must include the participant’s:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Home address
- Email address of parent or guardian
- Phone number
The essay needs to be 100 words in length. (Word count should not include the above-listed information.)
Dates To Remember
Essays must be submitted to Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov by noon on June 24. The 10 selected participants will be notified with full details of the clinic.
MDC staff will provide the equipment needed for the event. Attendees should bring footwear suitable for walking/wading in shallow water. Options that will work are knee boots, hip boots, chest waders, or old tennis shoes suitable for water. No sandals. Participants should also bring a headlamp (or flashlight) and bug spray.
Information about this event can be found at:
https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/201181.
People can also get information about this program and directions to Maramec Spring Park by emailing Dwight.Warneke@mdc.mo.gov or calling the MDC Rolla Office at 573-368-2225.
Notes:
- ^ {Writing essays will be part of July 1 MDC youth frogging and fishing clinic} (go back ↩)
