Great Smoky Mountains 2015 Trout Adventure Camp

Please see information and link below for this summer's Trout Camp, if you will note there may be some financial assistance through the local TU chapters to lower that cost. This program is one of the projects that receives a portion of funding through the Troutfest banquet coming up April 24th. Many of the kids who have gone to this camp return as volunteer student camp leaders because of the fun and education they received.

   http://tntroutadventure.org/

The Great Smoky Mountains 2015 Trout Adventure Camp

Applications are now being received for the fifth annual Trout Unlimited Great Smoky Mountains 2015 Trout Adventure Camp for middle school-age girls and boys. The Tennessee Council of Trout Unlimited sponsors the event. This year’s camp will be June 15-20 at Great Smoky Mountains institute at Tremont (GSMIT) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Summer Camp 2015 is designed to give kids an awareness, appreciation and understanding of the importance of our nation’s aquatic resources with an emphasis on conservation, protection and restoration of coldwater ecosystems. Participants will learn about stream ecology, brook trout restoration, stream physics and water chemistry, fishing etiquette and aquatic entomology. They will fish with fly fishing pros, learn how to tie flies with fly tying experts; and they will enjoy many other activities including hiking, learning how to cast using a fly rod, and learn essential fly fishing knots. Swimming, basketball and other activities will also be available.

GSMIT is in Walker Valley on the banks of Little River’s Middle Prong, a coldwater stream-containing brook, brown and rainbow trout. Facilities include dormitories, dining hall, classrooms, outdoor meeting shelters, bookstore/gift shop and full-time professional staff.

Summer Camp 2015 will begin on Monday afternoon, June 15, and end at noon Saturday, June 20. Boys and girls 12 to 15 years old as of June 15 are eligible to apply. Trout Unlimited will accept a total of 14 participants. Tuition is $495; insurance coverage is supplied by GSMIT. A minimum of two girls is required, and applicants should be in good physical condition. Applicants need not be Tennessee residents.

Visit the Camp Website at http://www.tntroutandadventure.org. Application deadline is May 20, 2015 and can be completed on line. Applications will be notified of their application status within three days of receipt of their application. Applications may also be mailed or e-mail to John Thurman, P. O. Box 546, Norris, TN 37828, jthur727@bellsouth.net. When families are notified that their child has been selected, they will be provided a GSMIT registration form and other information. Financial assistance may be available through your area’s Trout Unlimited chapter. In order to attend camp, the applicant must show proof of a complete physical within the past two years. Arranging for a physical with your doctor may take some time; therefore, applying as early as possible for camp is advised.