Cape Breton Conservation School

by: Dave Harris
SPRING 1984

Imagine volunteering to supervise twenty teenage boys for a week. that is a task the Highland Rod and Gun Club of Sydney and other NS Wildlife federation members have undertaken every summer since 1979. But the Conservation School is more than a glorified babysitting service. As the club's motto states, "Organized for Conservation" is the theme of the week.

Every Cape Breton Wildlife Club associated with the Nova Scotia Wildlife federation may sponsor three students. This amounts to quite a financial commitment by a club as food and lodging for a week does not come cheap, even when supervision is for the most part donated.

When Joe MacKinnon asked me to help out with one course in 1980, I didn't know what to expect. Would the students be interested? would I lose any of them? and most important of all, would I be in one piece at the end of the session? Arriving on the scene, I saw a sea of smiling faces. They were a little unsure about eating violet leaves and sarsasparilla roots but most tried them. Sitting quietly and using their ears and eyes to explore the surrounding area, some of the smaller things of nature were soon spotted. These were used to explain some basic biological concepts. The kids found additional examples of the concepts, asked great questions, some of which I could answer. In the end, I think I had as good a time as they did. In the years since, I think I have come to understand what makes the camp so special.

This came takes conservation in its broadest meaning. The main courses of map and compass, first aid and hunter safety are spiced liberally with fly tying and casting, canoeing, trapping and rabbit hound handling. The sports and movies, sprinkled liberally around the main events, keeps the interest at a fever pitch but still stick to the theme of the week.

There is a magic mix at work here. Each program is long enough, but not too long to be boring. Comradeship and friendly competition are encouraged in all things, from tugs-of-war with the staff (the staff usually gets muddy), to survival training. But if one overriding characteristic comes home to the boys, it would have to be the complete trust of the staff in the boys. There are no locks on any doors, the honour system is not just given lip service, here it is followed in all respects.

The week ends with an awards night and bonfire complete with songs and a cookout. The Bras d'Or lapping the shoreline, as seen through the orange light of a bonfire, is a fitting end to a week and a means to tying the events of the week together in the consciousness of the participants.

Over the past five years nearly one hundred boys have graduated from this program. Cape Breton Wildlife Clubs can feel proud that they are helping to nurture budding conservationists and outdoorsmen of the future. That outdoorsman aspect will soon become outdoorsperson. There is a growing demand to have a girls course in addition to the boys. Similar in length and subject matter this addition would be an asset and the demand does seem to be there.

The Wildlife Federation Clubs of Cape Breton have taken the saying "good stewardship begins at home" and are making sure if that the citizen of the future is more knowledgeable and better versed to be a conservationist. this camp is truly "Organized for Conservation".

IMAGE:  Gun handling is an important part of training young people to be good sportsmen.

IMAGE:  The fascinating art of fly fishing will keep young fishermen hooked for life.