CHEYENNE — Whether you are looking to immerse yourself in fishing or hunting or are just looking for an outdoor adventure, a Wyoming Game and Fish Department camp could be for you or your family. 

Nine camps will be held this summer, with a variety of age requirements and topics, at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois. With semi-private cabins, catered meals and education-oriented outdoor activities like fly-fishing, archery and hiking, these overnight experiences are a true getaway.

Adventure camp

Offers an overnight experience for families to build confidence in outdoor skills and enjoy learning together. This camp includes hiking, canoeing, archery and more, and is targeted at families with minimal outdoor experience. This year’s camp is June 25-28. The minimum participant age is 6 years old, and all children must be accompanied by at least one adult. There is no limit on the number of family members who can participate. Cost is  $150 per person. 

Youth camps

These are  overnight, seven-day camps for kids ages 12-15. Game wardens, biologists and other Game and Fish personnel will showcase aspects of their positions, inspiring campers with a desire to work outdoors. Additionally, participants will enjoy hands-on experiences with animal identification, watersports, scientific research, archery and more. Two youth camps will be held in 2025:

• Boy’s camp: June 14-20.
• Girl’s camp: July 5-11.

Cost is  $150 per person. Youth must submit an application to this camp and will be notified of their acceptance.

Hunter education camp

Teaches families the basics of hunting in Wyoming while earning their hunter education and bowhunter education certificates. This camp is targeted toward participants with minimal hunting experience. This year’s camp is July 22-26. Participants must be at least 10 years old, and all children must be accompanied by at least one adult. There is no limit on the number of family members who can participate. Cost is  $150 per person. 

Fishing camp

Teaches families the basics of two types of fishing — fly-fishing and spin casting — through hands-on fishing trips. This camp is targeted toward those with an interest in fishing but with limited experience. This year’s camp is  July 16-19. Participants must be at least 10 years old, and all children must be accompanied by at least one adult. There is no limit on the number of family members who can participate. Cost is $150 per person. Fishing camp is filled on a first-come, first-served basis and registration may close quickly if capacity is met.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) 

Interactive workshops for adult women who are interested in learning outdoor skills. BOW focuses on building community and creating a nonintimidating learning environment. Classes are taught in engaging and hands-on ways. This year, two BOW camps will be held:

• June 5-7.
• Aug. 7-9.

Participation in BOW requires an application, costs $150 per person and participants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants can apply individually or with a group of up to four, though each participant must fill out a separate application.

Beyond BOW

This year there will be a new Beyond BOW focused on backpacking, in partnership with the Office of Outdoor Recreation, in addition to the fly-fishing Beyond BOW. Both will focus on participants getting advanced skills through hands-on experience. Participants do not have to have attended BOW to attend Beyond BOW, but must be at least 18 years old and submit an application. The cost is $150 per person. The dates for both Beyond BOWs are July 30-Aug. 2.

Wyoming Collegiate Conservation Academy

Designed for college students, this is a chance for students to build skills for a career in conservation. During the overnight camp, participants will learn directly from Game and Fish biologists and gain skills needed to pursue a career in the outdoors. It is  e Aug. 12-15. Food and lodging are included, and the cost is $50. Participants must fill out an application to attend this camp.

Full details, packing information, a list of activities and registration forms are available on the Game and Fish website. 

-WGFD-