Photos courtesy of MN Deer Hunters Association, Arrowhead Chapter The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association sponsors Forkhorn Camps. Left: At camp, youths earn firearms safety certification. Top: Other skills, such as orienteering are practiced. Above: A favorite Forkhorn Camp activity is archery.
For years the Arrowhead Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) has helped send Cook County youths to “Forkhorn Camp.” The youths that have attended have greatly enjoyed the adventure and the local MDHA chapter hopes to continue sending kids in the future. To that end, the Arrowhead Chapter is hosting its annual banquet at the Cook County Community Center on October 10. This year the banquet is more family-friendly than ever.
MDHA representative Donna Lunke said everyone with a love for the outdoors is invited to attend. “They don’t have to be a hunter,” she said.
The event will include a prime rib dinner prepared by local guest chefs Jason Gesch, Pete Johnson and Michele Silence, in cooperation with Upper Lakes Foods chef Patty Clark. The Cook County High School Band and the Cook County Curling Club are also assisting with the event to also raise a little money for their organizations.
However, there will be much more than a fabulous meal and the chance to visit with other outdoors enthusiasts. There will be raffles as usual, but new this year will be games, including some inspired by the reality show Big Brother, such as a “gronkpong” game. There will be a “fish pond” for kids.
Bobbi Zenner from the Laurentian Environmental Center will be on hand with an interactive booth with all things outdoor on display, such as horns, hides, skulls and more. She will be assisted by youths who have attended past Forkhorn Camps.
Those campers will be available to talk to other kids who may be interested in going to camp. MDHA’s Forkhorn Youth Summer Camps are open to youth 11-17 years of age.
Last year seven boys and girls attended Forkhorn Camp at Laurentian Environmental Center in Britt, Minnesota, learning about hunting and getting hands-on experience in a wide variety of outdoor activities, starting with all important basic firearms safety. Additionally, campers learn about woodsmanship, ethical hunting, wilderness survival, wildlife biology, hunting techniques and much more. A favorite activity for many kids was archery.
The feedback has been “awesome” said Lunke. She said for some of the campers it is the first time they have ever been away from home and they are uncertain. “By the time they come home they are wanting to go back the next year,” Lunke said, “We’ve heard kids say, ‘It was the best week of my life.’”
That is why the MDHA board members work so hard, said Lunke. Last year, the Arrowhead Chapter in Cook County offered $2,625 and six scholarships for area youth. That is why the banquet is such an important fundraiser.
Lunke encourages everyone to come to the banquet on October 10. Social hour, raffles and games start at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6 p.m.
Please register for the banquet (for dinner planning) by October 1. To register, contact Stephanie Radloff at (218) 387-3151.
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