The first summer camps for kids put on by the Jasper County Conservation Board begin this week. Jasper County Conservation Naturalist Catie Cantu says up to 400 kids participate in the various camps the Conservation Department holds in June and July.

“Ages five through twelve would probably be our biggest group of kids. We do have some camps for fourteen up to sixteen year olds. High school students can help out as well. Actually the last several summers we have had high school students who want to volunteer, who are interested in conservation and maybe they came to camps as a kid, and they will help out as an assistant naturalist for a camp or two.”

Cantu says some of the more popular camps are related to archery, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Most of the camps last a day or half day, and are held at the various county parks throughout Jasper County.