Only in Arkansas: Youth Oudoor Expo
By:
Updated: November 8, 2012
Only in Arkansas do you have archery, hunting, fishing, and boating all right outside your door.
Last week 2,000 Arkansas students got an outdoor education found no where else.
"I've taught for 18 years, and this is the best field trip ever," said Greenbrier teacher Kellie Cardin.
For 2 days each year, fifth graders from 70 schools trade the classroom for the woods of Lake Sylvia.
"Just the mere mention of BB guns and fishing just makes them go crazy," said Cardin.
St. Joseph teacher Dianna Brown said, "It's the first time a lot of my children have gotten to shoot a bow and arrow or shoot a BB gun. It's the first time a lot of them have gotten to fish."
The lessons at the Arkansas Game and Fish Youth Outdoor Expo are strong on safety, whether on an ATV or in a tree stand.
Students see how decoys catch illegal poachers and how the states black bears are tracked- by using traps and shooting tranquilizer darts.
Everything is hands on for the students.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for my kids to take what we've been learning in class and to come out and apply it," said Cardin.
The hope for Game and Fish is that the first-time experience could lead to a lifelong love of the Arkansas outdoors.
"We just want kids to have the chance to get out and go experience these kinds of things," said Eric DeVries.
Arkansas Game and Fish hosts programs for students from kindergarten through college age.
Last week 2,000 Arkansas students got an outdoor education found no where else.
"I've taught for 18 years, and this is the best field trip ever," said Greenbrier teacher Kellie Cardin.
For 2 days each year, fifth graders from 70 schools trade the classroom for the woods of Lake Sylvia.
"Just the mere mention of BB guns and fishing just makes them go crazy," said Cardin.
St. Joseph teacher Dianna Brown said, "It's the first time a lot of my children have gotten to shoot a bow and arrow or shoot a BB gun. It's the first time a lot of them have gotten to fish."
The lessons at the Arkansas Game and Fish Youth Outdoor Expo are strong on safety, whether on an ATV or in a tree stand.
Students see how decoys catch illegal poachers and how the states black bears are tracked- by using traps and shooting tranquilizer darts.
Everything is hands on for the students.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for my kids to take what we've been learning in class and to come out and apply it," said Cardin.
The hope for Game and Fish is that the first-time experience could lead to a lifelong love of the Arkansas outdoors.
"We just want kids to have the chance to get out and go experience these kinds of things," said Eric DeVries.
Arkansas Game and Fish hosts programs for students from kindergarten through college age.
