Parents and kids won’t want to miss the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s ninth annual free Cherokee Kid’s Camp slated for June 20.

Cherokee Kid’s Camp is held at the Cherokee Wildlife Management Area in northeast Oklahoma. Youth age 15 and under are welcome, and the event is free. No pre-registration is required.

“Hunting and fishing are part of Oklahoma’s heritage, but today a number of rural and urban kids are never exposed to these activities,” said Ron Justice, wildlife biologist for the Wildlife Department. “The camp is designed to introduce kids to hunting and fishing, and encourage future involvement in Oklahoma’s most traditional outdoor sports. In addition, everything needed to participate is provided, and the event is free, even the lunch.”

Participants at Kid’s Camp will have the opportunity to participate in several outdoor activities, including shooting sports such as archery, air rifles, paintball, .22 rifles, muzzleloading firearms and shotguns. In addition, kids can go fishing in a stocked pond and visit exhibits on reptiles, mountain men, knife making, flint knapping, taxidermy, trapping, turkey calling, and wildlife.

Kid’s Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and food and drinks as well as the use of fishing tackle, ammo, and firearms will be provided free of charge.

To get to the Cherokee WMA, drive approximately 10 miles east of Fort Gibson on Highway 62, then two miles south at the Midway Conoco to the Zeb Entrance of the wildlife area. Once inside the WMA, drive one mile to the WMA Headquarters.

For additional information contact Ron Justice at (918) 260-8959. For more information about other outdoor activities offered by the Wildlife Department, such as fishing, hunting, hunter education or aquatic education clinics, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.