Sixth graders, cast, cook and camp

SIGOURNEY — Keokuk County Soil and Water Conservation District welcomed 42 sixth grade students from Sigourney, Keota, English Valleys, Pekin and Tri-County Community Schools to its tent campout in Belva Deer Park last month.

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For 43 years, the District has taught sixth graders about outdoor activities during an annual campout.

Scott and Barb Shifflett taught outdoor cooking. Bryan and Valerie Lee and Scott and Anne Leathers taught hunter safety.

Dennis Monroe and Steve Wehr taught the children about casting, and Wes Gould, of the Department of Natural Resources, explained furs.

The DNR’s Kevin Anderson discussed trapping with the students, and DNR Wildlife Technician Jason Gritsch instructed the students in archery.

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The campers and 17 sponsors enjoyed a wiener roast with s’mores under a star lit sky and then headed back to the campground area where they retired to their tents.

The Keokuk County Soil and Water Conservation District, Keokuk County Conservation Board, and friends sponsored the campout.