The magic of Clearfield County Youth Field Day was celebrated by 118 kids aged 7–14, and about 100 of their parents, grandparents and siblings on Saturday, June 3rd at Camp Mountain Run in Penfield, Pennsylvania. The Youth Field Day Angels were looking out for all in attendance. The weather was perfect, the stations were staffed by smiling, happy volunteers, and the kids and families were as engaged and grateful as the volunteers at each station.
2023’s Youth Field Day marks the 28th year gathering of kids who flock here to this one-of-a-kind wonder, overseen by Camp Mountain Run’s General Manager, John Drum, to participate in nine different stations that are setup and covered by members of Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Unlimited (PWHU), and many volunteers from different walks of life and work.
We’ve got members and supporters from the Bennetts Valley Rod & Gun Club providing lunch and dinner for the kids as well as every member and attendee of this sacred day at Camp Mountain Run. Hot dogs, chips, soda and cookies never tasted so good after a morning of recreation and learning, and the evening’s spaghetti dinner was especially delicious.
Photo: Lunch is served at Camp Mountain Run. Photo courtesy of Ray Hunt.
PWHU is the perennial steward of this amazing experience. Event coordinators are Heidi Harvey and Marty Hrin. Both are long-term leaders and supporters of this revered event and other PWHU initiatives, always do an amazing job, and have spent months coordinating every detail, communication, and task in planning and executing this magical day. This year the 82-degree temperature was ideal, having dropped from the previous day’s highs in the 80s and low 90s, but sunny and perfect.
Kids and their families checked in at the camp and were handed out complimentary t-shirts upon arrival. Groups of around 8-10 kids were assembled and actively moved through nine areas where the following stations were set up:
Tommy Knapp led the volunteers who worked with the groups where they fished the main hatchery pond at the camp. There were fixed stations here where the kids had use of all gear, bait and tackle to land what they could. Hundreds of trout were provided so there was no shortage of targets! And no shortage of hookups! Special thanks to Deason’s Get Hooked Bait for their contributions to the station.
Photo: The Fishing Station group at the hatchery. Photo courtesy of Ray Hunt.
The boating station was supported by the PA Fish & Boat Commission deputies Dave Twoey and Larry Krest on the lake across from the main camp. The kids got to learn about water safety and safety rules of fresh water canoeing while cruising one of the prettiest lakes in the area.
Eric Wilson led the station, where kids get in the stream and search for all manner of macroinvertebrates, some common and some not. Willie Null and Mark Lyons from the Clearfield County Conservation District were also on hand to provide instruction to the kids. Mark and Willie set up a unique demonstration table where they showed the kids the importance of healthy riparian practices and healthy stream preservation.
Eric talked about the different varieties of bug life, the cycle of bug life on this stream, and he set up a tabletop where the kids could place specimens pulled from the stream into water-filled bowls to observe their markings, colors, movements and to learn more about their development. The kids loved it as they could roam freely to search out insects, crawdads and aquatic life that feed trout and make up this beautiful ecosystem.
Photo: Eric Wilson holding court at the Stream Study Station. Photo courtesy of Ray Hunt.
Pennsylvania Game Warden Thomas Henry was on hand to provide instruction at the Game Commission station. He gave demonstrations of tools and equipment used by a game warden during routine work activities, as well as letting the kids try the lights, sirens and radio!
Supervised by the All Seasons Trap & Skeet Club, the kids got to shoot shotguns at clay targets and learn proper safety and best practices. We heard both the shotgun blasts and screams of our delighted kids throughout the day.
Dave Sylvis was the range officer for the rifle station, where the kids got to learn one-on-one about gun safety and had a chance to test their skills at target shooting. Many of us were humbled by the talents of so many of these kids. Pretty amazing how tight many of their target clusters were!
A very spirited Teddy Clark corralled the kids with helpers to focus them on learning the basics of bow and arrow archery and safety. The kids had a chance to target shoot and practice and were totally impressive with their skills and marksmanship. The kids absolutely love the archery station!
Hunter Horning and Jacob DiBerti presented their elk station where the kids participated in a game to learn about elk habitat and behaviors.
Kids were instructed on proper methods at the gold panning station. Each participant was able to pan for gold flakes that they took home!
There isn’t an outdoor experience like the Clearfield County Youth Field Day anywhere. All were greeted by caring and highly organized volunteers. Lunch was perfect with hot dogs, chips, cookies and soft drinks. At the conclusion of the day’s magic, all were invited to a hearty spaghetti dinner, and a miraculous camaraderie that was a match to the magic of a beautiful day, the fun and learnings at Camp Mountain Run’s Youth Field Day, and the devoted commitment of so many wonderful souls!
Photo: Kids turning over rocks and looking for bugs. Photo courtesy of Ray Hunt.
The Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Unlimited (PWHU) needs your help. Several of our programs are self-funded, and we’re actively looking to bring in new members and we seek donations from private donors and commercial businesses. To learn more about our group, scheduled events for the year, and how you can get involved, go to our Facebook page at PWHU (PA Wildlife Habitat Unlimited). We could use your support!
Ray Hunt is a freelance writer and avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and outdoor activities in the PA Wilds. He is a member of the Diablo Valley Fly Fishing Club (DVFF), the PA Outdoor Writers Association (POWA), Trout Unlimited (TU), and lives in Clearfield County and works in the media industry. He can be reached at raygwhunt@gmail.com.
Author: Guest Contributor
The Pennsylvania Wilds is home to more than 2 million acres of public land, 50 state game lands, 29 state parks, 8 state forests, 2 National Wild & Scenic Rivers, abundant wildlife, hundreds of miles of land and water trails, some of the darkest skies in the country, and the largest elk herd in the northeast.
The PA Wilds team is grateful to share the many stories of this region through the words and images of our talented guest contributors.