ASHLAND – For the 400 kids who took part in The Ashland County Wildlife Conservation League’s Kids Day, Saturday may have been the start of a lifelong passion. At the very least, it was a day to remember.
Kids ages six to 12 came not only from Ashland and surrounding counties but also from Cleveland, Columbus and even other states to take part in the annual event.
The kids spent the day rotating through stations at The Ashland County Wildlife Conservation Farm. Kids tried their hands at archery, fishing, muzzleloading and other outdoors activities. They also learned about duck and pheasant hunting, made nature-themed greeting cards, and interacted with animals ranging from dogs to snakes.
Located south of Ashland at 1930 County Road 1035, the conservation farm houses Ashland Bowman, Ashland New Frontiersmen, Ashland 4-H Top Shots and Ashland County Wildlife Conservation League.
ACWCL president Ed Britton said Kids Day is all about promoting the outdoors and sparking kids’ interest in hunting, fishing, trapping or other outdoor pursuits at a young age.
“We’re losing kids. There’s just not as many out there hunting anymore,” Britton said.”So if you start at a young age, hopefully you’ll catch it in them and they’ll continue with it, whether it’s archery or trapping or something else. Kids will pick what they like best and follow that.”
Dave McClure teaches a Teens in the Outdoors class at the farm and works hard to obtain grants to pull off the annual Kids Day.
McClure grew up hunting, fishing and trapping with his family and has raised his own son, 13-year-old Christopher, in the same tradition.
Christopher has been coming to Kids day as long as he can remember and happily served as a volunteer this year.
“It’s just really fun to do,” he said of Kids Day. “It’s a great place to learn about safety and get to know wildlife.”
In addition to teaching kids about various outdoor activities, Kids Day emphasizes safety by teaching outdoors safety and proper handling of equipment. More than 200 volunteers were on hand Saturday to ensure a safe and successful event.
Among the volunteers were members of various local outdoors groups, representatives of Fin Feather Fur Outfitters and Boy Scout troops 513 and 126 from Ashland and Bellville.
For Ashlander Janenne Roar bringing her grandchildren, 8-year-old Marissa Grey and 9-year-old Carson Grey, to Kids Day has become a tradition. The Greys live in Columbus.
Carson caught nine fish in just half an hour, and Marissa became such a reptile expert she began teaching other kids how to hold a snake.
“This is the place where we go to have fun,” Marissa said. “This is, like, only in Ashland. We don’t get to do stuff like this in Columbus.”
Roar said she appreciates the work of all the volunteers and sponsors who make Kids Day possible.
“It gets city kids– any kids– outdoors,” she said.
For more information about The Ashland County Wildlife Conservation League, call 419-368-3001 or visit www.acwcl.org.
