The month of July marks a change of pace for the staff at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center. After the bittersweet conclusion of Summer Leadership Camp for FFA and FCCLA students, three exciting weeks of FFA Wildlife Camp and FFA Horse camp, begins.

The FFA Wildlife Camp is a week-long residential camp for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 15. Wildlife Camp provides a dynamic, hands-on environment to achieve the goals of the program. Each activity is intentionally designed to increase safety, awareness, and appreciation of wildlife and outdoor sports as well as to instill core character values such as loyalty, responsibility and commitment.

Basic Wildlife Camp is focused on firearm and hunter safety. Participants receive their Georgia Hunter Safety Certification during their week of camp. All programs and classes are taught by qualified instructors and are designed to be hands-on and geared toward the age of the participants. Instructional classes for Basic Wildlife Camp include Shooting Sports, Fishing, Deer Stand Safety, Camping, Wildlife Conservation, and Emergency Preparedness. Advanced Wildlife Camp is designed for participants who have attended Basic Wildlife Camp or have already received their Georgia Hunter Safety Certification. Classes vary from year to year, and the instruction covers more advanced concepts.

Instructional classes for Advanced Wildlife Camp this year include Shooting Sports, Canoeing, Reptile Rescue, Bass Fishing, Primitive Camping, and Outdoor Cooking.

Participants are divided into teams for the week — the Blue Bears, the Silver Snakes and the Fuchsia Foxes, just to name a few. Guided by college-aged counselors, junior counselors, and parent volunteers, the teams navigate their daily schedules. Each team attends two classes per day, free time recreation of their choice, a nightly assembly, and a nightly activity. Throughout the week, they enjoy a Snake Show, the Blob, the Mud Course, the Mega Slide, and more! The week concludes with a Closing Ceremony to share memories and achievements with friends and family of the week’s campers.

FFA Wildlife Camp invests far more in campers than just outdoor principles. Wildlife Camp inspires teamwork, respect, integrity, and compassion; values that will last a lifetime.