Golf scramble supports youth education

For the third straight year Babe Winkelman and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association have joined forces to sponsor a golf scramble that will raise scholarship dollars for Forkhorn Youth Summer Camps.

"Last year MDHA chapters sponsored just under 400 youths, ages 11-16, to Forkhorn Camps at a cost of over $100,000," MDHA executive director Mark Johnson said. "This year we're expanding and plan to send up to 460. It's all about educating youth to be skilled, ethical hunters and lifelong conservationists, and the MDHA/Babe Winkelman Forkhorn Scramble is a fun way concerned adults can help."

Forkhorn Camps take place at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve at Hackensack, Laurentian Environmental Center at Brit, Eagle Bluff Learning Center at Lanesboro and the Kiwanis Boy Scout Camp at Marine on St. Croix.

Campers learn firearm safety, primitive weapons (archery and muzzleloader), marksmanship, wildlife biology, wildlife habitat, compass orienteering, wilderness survival, canoeing and more.

"Over the past year Babe has aired portions of the 2002 Forkhorn Golf Scramble and of Forkhorn Camp on "Outdoor Secrets," our nationally broadcast television show," said Mike Fine of Winkelman Productions. "Babe has a strong conviction that each of us has the responsibility to teach youth of our hunting and fishing heritage.

"Unfortunately, many single parents just can't afford it or they're too busy. Consequently, (their children) never get the chance. Through Forkhorn Camps, and the Forkhorn Golf Scramble, we're changing that. We're making a difference by raising scholarship dollars, one child at a time."

Individuals and businesses who enjoy golf and wish to support kids in the outdoors are urged to get involved. MDHA is a non-profit organization and contributions are tax deductible.

For additional information, contact Mark Johnson at (800) 450-3337.