General Outdoor Discussion
Kids and Mentors Outdoors (KAMO)
Took a drive to the American Standardbred Adoption Program (ASAP) south of Genoa today in preparation for KAMO's visit there next Saturday - March 16th. These are animals who are largely rescued after being used in harness racing. The stories of how these horses came to live at the ASAP ranch is truly heartwarming. Would you like to join us to visit the horses? Our trip is free and open to the public. Pictured are a few of the residents. Email Mike at [email protected] for details.
KAMO gets involved with teaching hunter's education every year and less frequently, makes sure there is a hunter's education instructor certification class in our area. This course is for both hunter's education instructor recertification and new instructor certification. Last time we had a one day class like this, people came to the Coulee region from as far away as Marshfield and Hudson to take the class.
If you are interested in becoming a hunter's education instructor, it doesn't get much easier than this. The benefits are that your group can do a Learn To Hunt (great state program) class conveniently with an instructor in your group. Instructors also become eligible for some great discounts on firearms and outdoor equipment through membership in IHEA.
HUNTER MINI ACADEMY
3/30/2019 10:00 AM - 3/30/2019 3:00 PM
Upper Mississippi River NW&FR, N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, 54650
LINDA XIONG
Phone: (715) 214-4211
If you are not already aware of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association (W.I.F.A. - studentfishing.com), this is a perfect time to learn about this group as they are teaming with Explore La Crosse to hold a magnum event right in our backyard. Just think of the potential to capture the interest of some students who may not be into traditional offerings at school, but could become interested in being on a fishing team,
This coming weekend, the WIFA is holding their State Championship on Pools 7-8 of the Mississippi River. That’s everything between Trempealeau and Genoa. Over 800 students from 90 high schools around Wisconsin are competing. The pre-fishing day is on Friday, February 15th and the event is on Saturday, February 16th.
I spoke with WIFA Vice President Ted Bonde (Tech Ed teacher - Kiel, Wisconsin) on the phone this morning. He invited KAMO reps or anyone from local schools to visit the La Crosse Center after 2:00 pm Friday or after 3:30 Saturday (fishless weigh in) to gather information from the hundreds of people who will be there. Note that involvement in the WIFA at the middle school level is allowed, but has some restrictions.
Ted is excited about the explosive growth of WIFA - over 100 schools since inception in 2015. He said that WIFA’s fundraising has been effective to the point that new school districts coming on board will not be charged any fees.
Ted Bonde - [email protected]/ 920-698-6133
If you can think of anyone on your school staff or in your community who would be interested in working with your students to form a fishing team at your high school (probably beginning with the 2019-2020 school year), please let them know about this opportunity to visit the La Crosse Center during this event.
WIFA’s mission (similar to KAMO’s)
:
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association is committed to the education, conservation, and management of our natural resources while building an understanding of our aquatic ecosystems and sciences. Our primary goals are to get students involved in the outdoors and to become future ambassadors of our sport through the foundation of spirited competition
La Crosse area:
Dear KAMO Fans
Latest update. All KAMO’s stuff is free. Participants don’t have to be members of KAMO.
Thursday, January 24th - Coulee Region Chill game vs.Wausau Riverwolves- Green Island Ice Arena - 7:00 P.M. MUST RSVP to lead - Mike at [email protected] He will be waiting in the lobby with your ticket prior to the game.
Saturday, Feb. 2nd - Kids Fishing Day/ Interpretative Center Tour - Genoa Fish Hatchery. Check in usually starts at 8:30. Tackle provided. Bring drinking water. Wear warm clothes and boots. Contact Mike at [email protected] if interested
Saturday, February 16th - Sledding - 11:00 am- 2:00 pm. Out on YY between Highways 14 and 33. In a valley - watch for the sign. Please RSVP MIke at [email protected] Bring a sled if you have one. Bring warm clothes. Food, camp fire, hiking trails. This was one of our best events last year.
Sat. February 23rd – Snowshoe at the Marsh - 10:00 am - 12:00 PM at Myrick Park, La Crosse Help put straw in duck nests and explore the frozen river marsh habitat. Contact lead - Mike at [email protected]
Saturday, Time and date to be determined, but on one of these dates - March 9, 16,23, or 30 - American Standardbred Adaption Program (horse ranch). De Soto. Introductory visit. Pet and groom. Lead - Mike - [email protected]
Thursday, April 4th - Nature Sketching - Holmen Library - Details later
Saturday and Sunday, April 6th - 7th - Youth Turkey Hunt -
Saturday, April 27th - Park Clean Up Day
Further ahead:
Firearms safety (hunter’s education) - we need to know in advance of your interest
Hydroponics facility tour, High Roller Skating Rink.
Birding event - May, 3P - June, Pontoon rides - July.
News on La Crosse area KAMO event
Ever been on the KAMO website? If not, it's time to get a look at a group that does a lot of good in their communities. You'll be treated to a great ice fishing video.
Interested in KAMO for your child or for as a forum to teach your own outdoor skills? There are chapters in Florence, Poynette, Baraboo, Marshfield, Ladysmith, New Lisbon. La Crosse. The state KAMO finances new chapters activities for their first year and provides technical support as an incentive for those that would like to take the challenge.
Coulee KAMO Looking
There is an organization in your area called Kids and Mentors Outdoors (KAMO).
KAMO has year around outdoors outings intended to get kids and their families interested in being outdoors more.
There is no cost to join KAMO.
Most of the families we work with live in La Crosse, Holmen, Onalaska and have kids between 8-14.
KAMO is currently interested in working with more families.
Do you have children who want to get involved with fishing, canoeing, snowshoeing, sledding, hunting, archery, and more?
Check our website - kamokids.org - Coulee Chapter- activity link to see what we have coming up. There is some neat looking stuff on for December. Also, check out Facebook - Coulee KAMO - lots of good pics
Two KAMO mentors took two boys on the state's Sandhill Wildlife Area Learn to Hunt on Saturday, November 3rd. The rut was in full swing and it was a treat just to sit in a stand and watch the action. This animal came into a grunt call and was this youth's first deer.
Latest Parent letter - La Crosse area:
Dear KAMO Fans
Our next official event is in November. If you have something in mind before then, we can probably support it. Much of what we do is off the radar, never makes the activity list.
Our group meets to plan our activities out to April at our next open to the public meeting which is Thursday, November 8th at the Onalaska Goodwill at 6:00 P.M.
We are arranging to have our trailer wrapped in photos and logos and park it it in a variety of spots in hopes of attracting more participants to our group.
Here’s the present activity schedule: All free to you. Dates will be firmed up in a couple weeks.
November 10th - Tundra Swan Viewing - Brownsville Overlook - The KAMO group flocks to the overlook platform to view the thousands of birds migrating through the area on their way south. Mike - [email protected]/ 608-799-5037. More details later. Last year, we met at the south La crescent Kwik Trip parking lot at 10:30 and caravanned down. Another group we partner with will have hot chocolate and snacks for all of us.
Coming attractions: Shennanigans, Jump Start Adventure Park, Coulee Region Chill hockey games, Holiday movie, BGC Holiday Party - December 28th, La Crosse Showtime basketball.
Winter: sledding, ice fishing
Do you have an activity idea? Contact Mike
