Habitat & Conservation,Hunting & Heritage  |  01/03/2018

Youth Village Offers Fun and Discovery


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By Tom Carpenter
 
Upland hunters with families in tow can make a day of it at National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic this year. The event’s always-popular Youth Village, sponsored this year by Sanford Health, promises plenty of attractions and activities to keep budding outdoors boys and girls occupied, entertained and learning.
 
National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic is being held this year February 16 - 18 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.
 
“Maybe the coolest thing about the Youth Village is that it is planned and staffed primarily by the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever National Youth Leadership Council,” says Rich Wissink, Vice President of Education and Outreach for the conservation organizations. “These middle-school and high-school age conservationists from across the country plan out the entire village and what happens there. These young leaders also work the booths and stations. What better way to introduce younger kids to our wildlife and habitat heritage?”

“Kids love it,” continues Wissink. “They really connect with these young leaders that serve as great role models. And there are plenty of fun things to see and do.” Upland game bird biology, conservation principles, hunting ethics, firearms safety, good shooting, pollinators and bird dogs are among the topics featured at the Youth Village. 
 
“It’s just a fun atmosphere,” says Wissink. “Everything is free. There are plenty of hand-on activities for all ages of children.” Coloring, an air rifle range and a fishing simulator are among the activities being planned. 
 
There’s also a daily lineup of entertaining and educational seminars that will be fun and informative for conservation-minded outdoorsmen and women of all ages, along with their families.
 

Youth Village Seminar Lineup

Friday February 16
3:00 PM Family Outdoor Photography 101 / Heather Francis & Anna Swerczek, PF/QF Photographers
4:00 PM Gun Dog Success for Families  / Dan Ihrke, Creator of Gun Dog Success Program
5:00 PM Wild Game Cooking for Families / John Wallace, Wild Game Chef 
6:00 PM Prairie Pals / Sunday Ford, Environmental Education Coordinator
 
Saturday February 17th
11:00 AM Gun Dog Success for Families 
NOON Prairie Pals
1:00 PM Wild Game Cooking for Families  
2:00 PM Gun Dog Success for Families
3:00 PM Family Outdoor Photography 101
4:00 PM Prairie Pals 
 
Sunday February 18th
11:00 AM Gun Dog Success for Families
NOON Family Outdoor Photography 101
1:00 PM Wild Game Cooking for Families
2:00 PM Prairie Pals
 
Tickets to the 2018 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic are available at the door, by calling 877-773-2070, or online here. Admission is free for children age 5 and under, while kinds age 6 to 16 are only $5. When you buy a Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever youth membership, admission is free.

Tom Carpenter is Digital Content Manager for Pheasants Forever.