Trout Unlimited Offering Spring STREAM Camps for County Youth

Trout Unlimited is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve, protect and restore cold water fisheries. Laurie Wilhite serves the TU chapter as youth engagement coordinator, camp organizer, and grant writer.

The Klickitat Chapter’s STREAM (Science, Technology, Recreation, Engineering, Art, Math) camp for local students was chosen out of a national pool of applicants for funding. The Chapter held its first camp in October 2018, with funds from Trout Unlimited’s National Embrace A Stream Grant program, the Washington State Council of Trout Unlimited, business donations, individual donations, and area service organizations.

These funds make it possible for kids to attend the weekend camp for only $25 which includes food, lodging, fishing lessons, leathercraft projects, etc. Transportation to and from camp is not included and is the responsibility of parents/-guardians.

Scholarships are also available for the $25 camp fee, requests can be indicated on the registration form brochure.

The goal of holding these camps is to offer a fun, engaging and affordable environmental education opportunity for Klickitat County youth.

Klickitat County 4th through 6th graders are invited to attend these camps. STREAM Explorers camp applications are available at area schools, the public library, newspaper office, Goldendale Chamber of Commerce, and Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce. Families interested in learning more about camp can contact the Klickitat Trout Unlimited Chapter at 509-941-9979 or find the chapter on social media.

Wilhite, a Klickitat Trout Unlimited board member, suggested the chapter apply for an Embrace a Stream grant to offer a Trout Unlimited program called STREAM Explorers. The program takes the traditional concept of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and incorporates Recreation and Art to engage participants in an enhanced learning experience.

Wilhite is an experienced grant writer as well as an educator. She took the lead in organizing this grant opportunity which resulted in a $4,600 investment from the Embrace A Stream program as well as an opportunity to crowdsource funds online during the Embrace A Stream Challenge which includes additional cash prizes sponsored by Orvis and Trout Unlimited.

Visit www.tu.org to learn more about Trout Unlimited.

The Klickitat Chapter’s mission is to conserve, protect, restore and sustain cold water fisheries and Chapter members look forward to providing these camps for Klickitat County youth!