STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Registration is open for one spring and three summer camps for young people interested in conservation, natural sciences and wildlife.

The Mississippi State University Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, MSU Extension Service and MSU College of Forest Resources are hosting these camps.

Conservation Careers: Discovery Days will be April 11-12 and is open to girls in grades nine-12. This camp is geared toward students who want to learn more about working professionally in conservation. The two-day event with an overnight camping trip features women professionals and MSU students in natural science who will lead campers through activities in the fields of wildlife biology, ecology, land management and research. A $25 nonrefundable registration fee covers lunch and camping equipment. The deadline to register is April 6.

Conservation Camp: Natural Sciences Edition will be June 7-10 and is open to campers ages 14-18, from rising freshmen to 2015 graduates. This camp features hands-on activities and field experiences in conservation and management of natural resources, including wildlife, forestry, fisheries and water. The four-day, three-night residential camp costs $300, which includes all food, in-camp travel and lodging.

Conservation Camp: Wildlife Recreation Edition will be June 14-17 and is open to campers ages 12-18. This camp focuses on Mississippi wildlife ecology and outdoor recreational opportunities, including canoeing, archery and fishing. Hunter Education certification is available. The four-day, three-night camp costs $300, which includes all food, in-camp travel, lodging and activity fees.

Conservation Camp: Day Camp Edition will be June 22-26 and is open to rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. Held in Starkville daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., this camp focuses on natural ecosystems, outdoor opportunities and real-world science. Lunch and activity costs are included in the $25 nonrefundable registration fee.

Limited financial assistance is available through funding provided by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Youth Participation Initiative. The application is available online at http://www.cfr.msstate.edu/wildlife/conservation_camp/.

A $100 deposit is due at registration for the residential camps. This deposit is nonrefundable and is required even for campers who receive financial assistance. For both residential camps, siblings living in the same household may attend at the reduced price of $225 for each subsequent person.

For more information, contact Leslie Burger at 662-325-6686 or [email protected].