Published: March 16, 2009 10:35 pm      

Bass Brigade reeling in cadets for summer sessions

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

Texas Parks and Wildlife is looking for a few good teens — and their parents.

Both teens and parents are invited to experience TPWD’s annual Bass Brigade program, set for July 13-17, at Fort Parker State Park near Mexia.

New Summerfield 15-year-old Shelbi Perry and her dad, Steve Perry, participated in the Brigade last year.

“I volunteered as a school leader last year at Bass Brigade and had an opportunity to witness the results of the 100-hour curriculum taught by some of the best fisheries and habitat professionals in the country first-hand,” Steve Perry said. “It is truly amazing to watch these kids expand their minds throughout the week and see them get fired up about taking the message of conservation back to their local communities.

“I believe in this program so much that I have volunteered to head up the public relations subcommittee for Bass Brigade this year.”

Shelbi said she plans to return to this year’s Bass Brigade camp as an assistant school leader.

“Once you go through these camps, the people here turn out to be like family,” Shelbi said. “It’s just so much fun. I learned so much about conservation and why we need to really be working on it now. If we don’t take care of what we have now, we’ll lose it and it’ll be gone.

“I know a lot of kids would think the same thing — ‘I don’t want to spend my summer walking around in the brush or on a boat learning about fish,’” Shelbi said. “But once they come out and experience it, they’ll see it’s something they can hold onto for the rest of their lives.”

She’s written two stories about her Bass Brigade experiences, which have been published in Pond Boss magazine, Lone Star Outdoor News and several local newspapers. She also appeared as a guest on Mel Phillips’ Southwest Outdoors radio program in an effort to get the word out about the Brigade.

Bass Brigade is one of six wildlife leadership summer camp programs offered through the Texas Brigades, www.texasbrigades.org. The first Texas Brigade program, Bobwhite Brigade, was started about 15 years ago by Dr. Dale Rollins. The Bass Brigade is designed to educate youth, ages 13 to 17, about aquatic ecosystems and natural resource management.

“Bass Brigade is not your typical run-of-the-mill “take a kid fishing for a day” summer camp just to make adults have a warm fuzzy about themselves,” Steve Perry said. “These kids are truly the cream of the crop and will no doubt be the decision-makers of tomorrow for conservation of our fisheries and other natural resources.”

In order to participate in the Brigade, students must have an A-average in school; submit an application that is reviewed by a committee; and write a one page essay explaining why they should be accepted into Bass Brigade. Cadet applications are due April 1.

“Robert Montgomery (a professional bass fisherman) said that he has not seen another youth fishing program like Bass Brigade and as a father that has had the opportunity to see the results that Bass Brigade has made in my own daughter I will have to agree with Robert,” Steve Perry said.