The Elliott Journal: e-newsletter from Charlie Elliott WildlifeCenter

Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center hosted the grand opening of the CEWC Shotgun Range on May 8. The range includes skeet, trap, and five-stand. Since opening, the range has had an overwhelming number of users, many of which have returned numerous times. In order to use the range, you must purchase a count-down card in the Visitor Center. Cards are $15, are reusable, and do not expire. The card comes with one round of 25 clays. Each additional round is $6.25. For more information, call (770) 784-3059.

May 12^th, 2012 was our 16^th Annual J.A.K.E.S. Day (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Experience, and Sportsmanship). More than 1,300 people attended this free event. Participants had opportunities to fish, shoot air rifles, BB rifles, and bows and arrows. There were also boat rides, a laser hunting simulator, a Law Enforcement K9 demonstration, and a Birds of Prey Program.

Many exhibitors attended including Georgia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Hunters Helping Kids, Dauset Trails Nature Center, Georgia Falconry Association, Let’s GetWild, Georgia Wildlife Federation, and many others.

Several doorprizes were given away including a youth rifle, T-shirts, and more. Free J.A.K.E.S. Day T-shirts were given to the first 500 children through the gates. A free hot dog lunch was provided to all guests. Huge thanks go out to all of the staff, volunteers, and exhibitors who put so much time and effort into making J.A.K.E.S. Day a great event. We can’t wait until next year! Mark your calendars for May 11, 2013.

Summer Days Wildlife Camps at CEWC have begun and we still have space for the overnight camps including Wildlife Week (ages 11-12), Girls of the Great Outdoors (ages 10-12), and Shooting Sports Camp (ages 13-15). Camps include hiking, fishing, pond and stream studies, archery, shooting sports, and much more.

“Kids have so much fun that they don’t even realize they’re learning,” says Julie Watson, camp manager. “Every camp offers lots of fun activities - canoeing, campfires, nature hikes and animal encounters. Plus, they learn outdoor survival skills and conservation lessons.”

Three overnight camp sessions are being hosted at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield this summer:

Wildlife Week: June 25-29, 2012 (11-12 years old) - SPACE LIMITED

This is an overnight camp for boys and girls. Spend a week with Georgia DNR biologists, educators and naturalists learning about Georgia's wildlife and natural resources, shooting sports, outdoor survival skills, hiking, camping, astronomy and more. Cost: $225 per camper.

 Girls of the Great Outdoors: July 11-13, 2012 (10- to 12-year old girls only)

This three-day camp is designed to introduce young women to a variety of outdoor skills and wildlife-related field studies. Activities will range from hiking, camping, stream and pond studies, fishing, shooting sports and more. Most programs will be led by women who are experts in their respective fields. Cost: $125 per camper.

Shooting Sports Camp: July 16-20, 2012 (13-15 years old)

Spend five days at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center developing skills in shooting sports, fishing, birding, hiking and more. All shooting sports will be taught and supervised by DNR certified instructors. Cost: $225 per camper.

For information, call (770) 784-3059.

The Visitor Center and Museum

The Visitor Center and Museum are currently undergoing some positive changes. Charlee Glenn, CEWC staff member, has completed a new mural in the Visitor Center highlighting the activities that CEWC has to offer including our new tree climbing program, fishing, birding, astronomy, and more. Be sure to come see it. We also are updating merchandise! We now carry bait and shotgun shells! We have brand new T-shirts, hats, bags, bandanas, and more. We also have an amazing Deal of the Week each week.  For example, this weeks Deal of the Week is the Fishing Bear Youth T-shirt for $6.