Colby, DeBruce, Pack Forest, and Rushford
The DEC Summer Camps program started as hunter education camps, and we continue that tradition today by offering Hunter Education Program courses to campers. These courses are offered in addition to archery programs at camp. Each of these courses require the completion of homework by the camper prior to attending camp and must be signed up for during the camp registration process. DEC will mail a manual and worksheet to the campers who have enrolled in the course. Campers will receive the book 2-4 weeks prior to their week at camp.
Schedule of Hunter Education Programs at Summer Camps
| Week | Dates | Colby | DeBruce | Pack Forest | Rushford |
| 1 | June 29 – July 4 | Hunter Safety | |||
| 2 | July 6 – 11 | Hunter Safety | Bowhunter | ||
| 3 | July 13 – 18 | Hunter Safety | Hunter Safety | Trapper | |
| 4 | July 20 – 25 | Trapper | Bowhunter | Bowhunter | |
| 5 | July 27 – Aug 1 | Bowhunter | Trapper | Hunter Safety | |
| 6 | Aug 3 – 8 | Hunter Safety | Hunter Safety | Trapper | Hunter Safety |
| 7 | Aug 10 – 15 |
Minimum Ages & More Info for Courses
- Hunter Ed: Campers must be 11 years old to take the course, and 12 years to hunt.
- Bowhunter Ed: Campers must be 11 years old to take the course, and 12 years to hunt. Please note: you need a hunter education certificate to get a hunting license, but the bowhunting education course can be taken before or after the hunter education course.
- Trapper Ed: There is no age restriction to take this course.
Instructors & Safety at Camp
One hunter education program of gun, bow, or trapping is offered at each camp during four of the weeks. Approximately 30 percent of the campers that attend DEC camps participate in Hunter Education Program courses each summer. Trained instructors certified by the Department of Environmental Conservation teach safe and responsible outdoors practices and the important role of hunters and trappers in conservation. When available, environmental conservation officers also assist with the course instruction. These courses are extremely safe for the campers to participate in and, when class is not in session, the firearms and ammo are locked and not accessible to campers. At no time is a camper unsupervised with access to firearms.
Campers are prohibited from bringing firearms to camp. However, campers may bring their own bow for use during the bowhunter education course or camp archery programs. These items will be checked in and safely stored when camper arrives to camp. For campers without bows, equipment will be provided during the course or archery programs.
