From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE – Local 4th through 6th graders (rising) will enjoy a rare opportunity to track legendary beast Bigfoot when Fresh Air Family’s Prepared Not Scared Day Camp returns to Trussville, July 16-20. Sponsored by Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale, this popular survival/life skills camp will be based at the Trussville Athletic Complex.
“This will be a magical time on the banks of the Cahaba River,” said FAF Executive Director Verna Gates. “Dr. Matt Brown, a resident of Trussville, will be teaching it, and his camps have been getting rave reviews.”
A herpetologist by interest and a research biologist by trade, Brown is also a Boy Scout leader and home school instructor.
To help them track Bigfoot or any other animal, campers will learn to identify calls and tracks, read a map, and forage for food and water, among other skills. They’ll also learn about edible and medicinal plants, dealing with bullying and the don’t-touch-it method of gun safety.
Camp activities include building debris shelters, starting fires from scratch, turning sticks into fishing poles and more.
Cost of the five-day camp is $175 for FAF members, $200 for non-members. Before- and after-care is available for $25. Camp begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m.
Gates indicated that help is available to make Prepared, Not Scared camp more affordable.
“We have some scholarships we need to give away,” she said.
Camp and scholarship applications are available online at http://www.freshairfamily.org/prepared-not-scared. For more information, email programs@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 540-6642.