RANGELEY — The Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsmen’s Association is celebrating 25 years of its Junior Guides Summer Program this year, and will hold a celebrate on Monday, Aug. 9.
This program, for youths age 9 to 12, explores the special environment of the Rangeley area and its wildlife habitat. Activities include hands-on exploration of tracks, skulls, teeth and pelts. Experts mentor the group in the art of fly tying and fly casting. Canoe safety and archery are offered. Map & compass skills are also covered. Activities are challenging in a positive learning environment to intrigue the most curious participant.
The original RRG&SA Junior Guides program was organized by Don and Stephanie Palmer, with the goal being to enrich and broaden a youngster’s knowledge of their natural world. The association then bought a “safari in a box” from the Maine Safari Club International to enhance the hands-on opportunity. Current Program Director Elaine Holcombe took it one step further and developed the safari box and created our unique hands-on educational curriculum.
The RRG&SA Junior Guides Program was the 2016 recipient of the Teddy Roosevelt Maine Conservation Award which recognizes youth organizations whose efforts are in the spirit of Roosevelt’s conservation ethic and recognizes the potential of Maine’s young people as future conservation leaders.
The Aug. 9 celebration will be at 2 p.m. at the clubhouse on Old Skiway Road in Oquossoc. Alumni of the program and past and present program volunteers will speak and all are welcome. For more information, call Joyce Fay at 207-864-2651.
PHOTOS: Current members of the Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsmen’s Assocation Junior Guides Summer Program. A celebration of the program’s 25 years will be held Aug. 9, at the clubhouse in Oquossoc. (RRGSA photo)
