Bringing Camp Home

lschultz • June 26, 2020

For the last seven summer seasons, I have written the blog for this week with a view of Cedar Lake down at the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp. Today I am watching my dog “Cedar” try to figure out how to eat an ice cube from my “home office”. Typically this week kicks off the summer camp season with our staff training, teaching our group of 24 staff what will be expected of them during the 6-week summer season.  The preparations of the facility would be happening and the fervent learning of curriculum to get ready for the waves of campers who would be joining us in a few days.

However, as most of you know, this year we have had to cancel our normal camp operations and there will be no waves of happy campers down at Cedar Lake. This year instead of leading staff on wild edibles hikes and teaching kayaking techniques, camp director Max Bass has been pouring over curriculum to come up with a way to connect youth and families to the outdoors while staying at home.

While there is absolutely no way to replace the magic of being part of a camp experience, there are still many things you can do locally to engage in the natural resources around you and learn some new skills. With that in mind, the MUCC education team (Max and I) have been working to create a “Camp-to-Go” curriculum.

The Camp-to-Go curriculum is a bundle of outdoor-related activities that we will mail to your family that is full of lessons and programs that your child might normally do at camp. Inside you will find a range of lessons, from instructions on what type of wildlife to look for on a night hike, to how to build a survival shelter and start a fire. Each bundle contains multiple program themes designed for youth of a variety of ages. These activities will follow our outdoor recreation and environmental education curriculum. They contain unique ways for your camper and family to enjoy the outdoors this summer.

Throughout the summer we will be sharing helpful videos to the youth camp Facebook page  to coincide with the curriculum to explain concepts/instructions, highlight why conservation in Michigan is important and have a little bit of fun.

Create a critter lesson

The first group of Camp-to-Go bundles will be mailed out next week for people who have previously signed up.  If you have not registered to receive, a packet you can reach out to Max Bass and we will put a bundle together and get it in the mail. These packets are available for families to purchase.

However, we know that due to the circumstances surrounding this summer, each family is in a different financial situation, and because of that, we are not putting a standard price on our Camp-to-Go packets. Rather, we are asking for donations to help cover the fixed costs of camp such as staff time and the shipping of the materials. If you would like more information on Camp-to-Go, please reach out to Camp Director Max Bass.

If you have, any questions do not hesitate to ask Max at mbass@mucc.org.

Recent Posts

On the Ground Junior: Fall Event Recap

By Olivia Triltsch • October 16, 2025
In 2025, the On the Ground program conducted 8 junior projects with schools involving 316 students from across the state. From tree plantings to invasive species removal, these students worked to enhance 39.3 acres of public land after contributing over 200 volunteer hours. Visit our website to learn more information about our On the Ground program and On the Ground Junior . To wrap up the 2025 field season, the On the Ground program worked with two classrooms to enhance wildlife habitat and recreational access. Junior programs like these allow teachers to get their students out of the classroom and into hands-on learning about the importance of habitat work while meeting individuals in the field.

October NRC Recap

By Justin Tomei • October 9, 2025
The Natural Resources Commission met today, Thursday, October 9th for their October meeting. The commission reaffirmed its intent to allow for lethal year-round coyote management on public and private land via a unanimously passed resolution before passing fisheries orders, and tabling more for consideration in November. The commission passed Fisheries Orders 210.26 , and 254.25 before tabling 206.26, 219.26 , and 253.26 . Commissioner John Walters provided an amendment to the fisheries order to expand underwater spearfishing opportunities to most of the Great Lakes, allowing for some spatial closures for the protection of particularly sensitive areas. The commission took steps to make good on their promise to allow year-round coyote management, unanimously passing a resolution more clearly stating their intent and what the pending wildlife conservation order will look like. The next meeting is Thursday November 6 in Lansing.

October NRC Meeting Preview: Wildlife, Habitat, and Regulation Updates on the Agenda

By Justin Tomei • October 7, 2025
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will convene for its October meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Michigan Technological University’s Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts in Houghton, MI. This monthly gathering brings together commissioners, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff, and the public to discuss policy decisions and updates impacting the state’s natural resources, wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities. The meeting will begin with Coffee with Commissioners from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by the formal session at 9:30 a.m. Attendees can park for free in Lot 10, located east of the Rozsa Center. The meeting will open with a presentation from DNR leadership, including several notable updates and informational reports: Spring Turkey Regulations: Wildlife Division staff will present proposed changes to spring turkey hunting regulations for 2026. Wildlife Habitat Grants : Program leads will outline new habitat grant initiatives and highlight ongoing restoration efforts across the state. Moose Population Monitoring: A presentation will cover results from the most recent moose survey and discuss ecological and environmental factors limiting population growth. White-Nose Syndrome: The Wildlife Division will provide the latest data on the spread and impact of white-nose syndrome on Michigan’s bat populations. New Business The commission will consider a range of new proposals and action items, including: Oil and Gas Lease Auction: Approval for a proposed October 21, 2025, lease auction for energy development on state-managed lands. Land Transactions: Consideration of multiple land sales, acquisitions, and donations, including parcels in Tuscola, Wayne, St. Clair, and Luce counties. Wildlife Orders: Review of spring turkey regulations for the 2026 hunting season . Old Business The NRC will also revisit several regulatory items from previous meetings, including proposed amendments to a number of Fisheries Orders. This includes an amendment further expanding underwater spearfishing to larger portions of the Great Lakes. All orders and amendments for consideration can be found at the NRC agenda, HERE .
More Posts