By Mike Clancey
Application must be received by May 15, 2022. The number of attendees is limited
SPONSORSHIPS NEEDED FOR NW YOUTH CONSERVATION & FLY FISHING ACADEMY
The staff and students of the 2019 Academy would like to thank all the organizations and individuals for their generous support in donating funds and sponsoring our youth in 2019. A very successful Northwest Youth Conservation and Fly Fishing Academy was held during June 2019. There were 21 well-behaved, enthusiastic boys and girls, ages 12 to 16 attending. All
were a pleasure to be around. Each learned a wealth of information for use in their life as future conservationists and fly fishers. Many caught their first fish on a fly they learned to tie at The Academy. Application for the 2022 Academy is now open.
2020 was going to be Jim and my last Academy. Jim has been involved for 16 years, I have been involved for 14 years and we are going to pass the Academy onto 3 solid, dedicated new Co-Directors. John Gravendyk, Bruce Merighi and Carol Anderson, all from the flyfishing community. and Pat Hesselgesser, Chair (WCTU), is also going to volunteer. The group has decided to attempt to conduct an Academy this year, 2022 at Hicks Lake in Lacey, WA. at the Gwinwood Christian Center. However; we are limiting the applicants to 12 this year. We will be following TU National, CDC and local health recommended regulations during camp.
The Academy is a youth education project of the Washington Council of Trout Unlimited and is made possible with the help and support of The Washington State Council of Fly Fishers International clubs. Our goal is to open the door for today’s youth to learn conservation and fly fishing, regardless of financial means, for any serious minded youth willing to do the work.
Organizations of TU and the FFI have been the main financial source of support, along with some very generous individuals and businesses; we trust this will continue in the future. TU chapters and FFI clubs have generously sponsored youth to attend the Academy.
The Academy Steering Committee is requesting TU chapters and Fly Fishing Clubs to donate at the $500 level. Enrollment fee is $300.00 per student. However, it costs approximately $1000 total per youth for the 7 days. And no applicant is turned away because of funding.The Academy can be a life changing experience of our youth’s attitude about stewardship, conservation, and fly fishing. The knowledge they learn about the abundance of life in our rivers, lakes and streams is invaluable and it is imperative that we preserve this event for our current youth so they become our future conservationists and fly fishers.
Our request to you is that your organization budget to contribute to the Academy in 2022. Your support is needed to make the Academy a success. Please send your contributions payable to:
WCTU, and “Academy” listed in the “For” section of the check,
c/o Mike Clancy,
2531 Simon Lane NE,
Olympia, WA 98506.