Lakeshore Sportsmen Chapter of SCI
This was the first year we were able to attend and display our own Sensory Safari trailer at Youth Day. As one of the charter and founding members of YOUTH DAY, we have been active since the first event 14 years ago, beginning with just a table and some photos and mounts from members’ homes, to borrowing a Sensory Safari trailer from other chapters. This Youth Day, with our own Lakeshore SCI Sensory Safari, we made this a spectacular event.
As a charter member of Sportsmen for Youth, we are proud to be a part of this great event. Area sporting groups join annually on the first Saturday after Labor Day to put on a FREE event for youth. This year we invited 1,300 kids and 800 adults to travel the world in the Lakeshore SCI Sensory Safari.
This is a project that not only entertains, but opens the door to educate all age groups about the renewable wildlife resources that we as sportsmen strive to maintain for future generations of hunters. We were able to promote the sport of hunting, reinforce sportsmen as conservationists, and also educate and entertain the public.
Nothing compares to the smile on a child's face as they feel the sleek pelt of beaver or look into the eyes of a full-mounted African lion. And nothing protects our hunting heritage like a child turning to his parent and saying, "Dad, how long before I can go hunting with you?"
We left this event with such enthusiasm for our new Sensory Safari that we have already scheduled trips to several schools, a nursing home, a Boy Scout event, and a Harvest Festival at the State Park in the month of October. Every place we look we see another potential location or venue to promote SCI and the proud hunting heritage we all love, using our Sensory Safari.
I would like to thank Howmet, Verizon, Lee Manufacturing, and the Fruitport Lions for their generous donations to this project.
The 2008 Youth Day Event will be held September 6, 2008.
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon, in cooperation with the Muskegon Area Sportsmen for Youth, will host the 15th Annual Sportsmen for Youth Day on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The event is hosted each year with the cooperation of area sportsmen and women who volunteer to introduce young people to outdoor sports. For the event, the park's large beach area parking lot will be converted into an outdoor sports show where young people can be given the opportunity to try their hand at archery, shooting sports, fishing and many other outdoor activities.
Also at the event, there will be special live animal programs such as Birds of Prey by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Michigan Snakes by Nature Discovery and Michigan Turtles by the Gillette Visitor Center.
Participants 17 and under will receive a tshirt, other souvenirs, raffle tickets and a lunch coupon. Many of the exhibitors also will be giving away prizes of outdoor equipment and experiences through a raffle process.
There is no fee for this special event, but a Michigan State Parks Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter the park. Permits are available at the entrance for $6 for a daily resident permit, and $24 for an annual resident permit. Non-Michigan residents can obtain permits for $8 for a daily, and $29 for an annual.
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