Event at Shakamak State Park gives youth a taste of bow shooting, outdoors

Contributed photo SHOOTING: A free youth bow shoot and campout will take place Aug. 8-9 at Shakamak State Park in Jasonville. This event is part of a national program for youth titled Kicking Bear Archery Clinics, and campers will meet legendary bow hunter Ray Howell. [Click to enlarge]

A free youth bow shoot and campout will take place Aug. 8-9 at Shakamak State Park in Jasonville.

This event is part of a national program for youth titled Kicking Bear Archery Clinics, and campers will meet legendary bow hunter Ray Howell.

All ages of kids are welcome to attend. Last year's event attracted 70 some kids and 40-plus adults as mentors.

This year, Mike Miller, event coordinator, decided to hold the clinic at Shakamak Park. He wanted campers to be able to stay in the cabins and take advantage of the other facilities offered at the park.

Young campers will be staying in two air-conditioned cabins, one for boys, another for girls. Each cabin will be supervised by several adults. All meals and drinks will be provided free of charge. These will be served in a screened-in shelterhouse adjacent to the cabins.

Campers who wish to spend the night need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Showers are available, but each camper would need to bring personal toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant.

You may RSVP by contacting:

* Mike Miller (812) 239-3054

* Andrea Perkins (812) 798-2040)

* Outdoor Addiction (812) 847-0028, State Road 54 West Linton

The agenda for the campout will be as follows:

Friday, Aug. 8

* Registration begins at 5 p.m.

* Bloodhound unit, Jim and Rusty

* Hamburger and hot dogs will be served for dinner (sponsored by First Christian Church of Linton)

* Live wire demonstration

* Bonfire

* Marshmallow fights and a hayride

Saturday, Aug. 9

* Homemade biscuits and gravy by Andrea Perkins served in shelterhouse

* Bow and shooting safety meeting for all campers

* Shooters will be divided into groups ... one adult mentor for three or four 4 kids ... at the shoot archery course

* Crane Naval Weapons, Bomb Squad

* Evac helicopter

* Jasonville Fire Department

* Break for lunch of Subway sandwiches

* More archery on the course

The closing ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Prizes will be presented to all kids. They will receive a hat, pins, and a T-shirt. They are also eligible to win a bow.

This event is sponsored by Frietag Weinhart Mechanical Contractors, Greene County Longbeards (NWTF), Muzzy Broadheads, Badlands Hunting Packs and Gear, Limb Savers, B-4-Outdoors, Sherwood Bowman Archery Club, Outdoor Addiction, and Predator Trail Cam.