During the month of June, boys and girls from across the state converge on Ross Camp in West Lafayette for a week long experience of learning and adventure at the Karl E. Kelley Memorial Youth Camp. This year’s dates will be June 21-27, 2020.

While attending, campers will be certified in Hunter Education and Boater Education. They will also participate in range day, where they will shoot muzzleloaders, shotguns, handguns, rifles, crossbows, and archery, all under the watchful eyes of Indiana Conservation Officers. In addition to the safety classes and range day, campers will participate in a water day with the ICO Scuba team, attending canoe safety classes, and enjoying airboat and Jet Ski rides.

The goal of the week is to teach boys and girls life skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.

The week-long camp has a capacity of 120 campers from all over the Hoosier state, and will accepting applicants in the order of receipt.  The camp is open to first time campers both boys and girls that have completed the 5th or 6th grade and have not attended the previous summer. This year, the Jasper Rifle and Gun Club will be sponsoring any JRGC member’s child or grandchild who meets this criteria. If interested, please contact us at jaspergunclub@gmail.com.

The first Indiana Conservation Officer Youth Camp was held in August 1997. It was later named in memory of F/Sgt. Karl E. Kelly, who lost his life in the line of duty while attempting to rescue fellow officers who had become trapped in a low-head dam during a training exercise in April 1998.