Greenbrier Valley Sportsman Alliance hosts free youth day this Saturday

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

“We’re trying to get kids off the phone, off the couch, and out in the woods,” says Sgt. Bob Johnson of the WV Department of Natural Resources. “I don’t care if they’re hunting or fishing, just something to get them outside.” 

“In my profession, over 27 years, we’re losing hunters and fishermen,” Johnson says. “People don’t get outside anymore. We’re trying to get more kids involved.” 

To that end, the Greenbrier Valley Sportsman Alliance is hosting a Youth Day this Saturday. Held at the Greenbrier County Youth Camp, registration begins at 7:30am. 

The Alliance was formed last year, Johnson says, to support youth archery in local schools But they’ve expanded their mission to support an array of youth outdoor sports activities.

“We’re gonna give the kids some milk and donuts from Cornerstone IGA,” Johnson says. “Then we will have a firearm safety course before we rotate through different stations.” 

Among the stations available for kids are shooting a BB gun, clay shooting, archery, fly fishing, tracking deer, trapping, and more. 

“Some kids will even have the chance to go out with Ronnie Snedegar and tree squirrels,” Johnson says. “We’ve got great leaders like Christine Stump teaching fly fishing and others.”

Students will cycle through rotations from 9-11am, take a break for lunch from 11am-12pm, and then continue their rotations from 1-3pm. 

“The Patriot Motorocycle Club is providing lunch,” Johnson adds. “Hot dogs, hamburgers, peanut butter & jelly, chips, cookies, and more.” 

There is no charge for the event. The activities and food are free of charge. 

“We were kicking some things around this summer,” Johnson says of the Alliance’s desire to engage kids in outdoor activities. “We’ve got 43 members now, and we all just jumped on this.”

Pre-registration is not required. Parents are asked to stay with their children during the day if at all possible. But children do not need to bring any equipment. 

“Each kid will get a blaze orange cinch bag with hearing and eye protection and some other goodies,”Johnsonn says. “They don’t need to bring anything with them.”

When the day ends at 3pm, there will be a giveaway of hunting and fishing equipment for children who participate. 

“It’s going to be a great day!” Johnson says.

Greenbrier County Youth Camp is located in Frankford, WV, along the Greenbrier River. For more info, visit https://www.greenbrieryouthcamp.com/.