Kids and Mentors Outdoors (KAMO)

KAMO is a Wisconsin-based non-profit organization that gets kids off their earbuds and into the outdoors. Never before has there been such a substantial need for adults to pass their outdoor skills on to a younger generation that has become disconnected with nature. KAMO has 5 chapters - Florence, Ladysmith, New Lisbon, Baraboo, La Crosse/ Onalaska. Kamokids.org is the group's website and provides details, contact information and photos of the group's activities. KAMO is unique in that members of the group plan, organize, and finance activities year around. These activities can be done one on one, small or large group. KAMO mentors are encouraged to contribute the time what they can comfortably give and are not pushed for more. KAMO has been popular and can always use new mentors who bring their ideas and energy to the group. The La Crosse group I'm a memeber of could use some people for Learn to Hunts or other mentored hunting experiences for events on the river and local Mississippi Valley properties. We are open to someone who may have horses or places to camp as that is what our kids are asking for.I will try to post our activities on here once in a while.

More Fox Lake pictures.

The Northwoods Chapter, based in Florence, has had a Hooked on Fishing event event on Lake Emily since 2006.
These pictures are from the July, 2023 outing.

The Baraboo and Dodge County Chapters are out camping/ fishing on Castle Rock Lake in June, 2023.

During a trip to the Best Dam Fishing Float on Friday, June 16th, mentor Fritz Funk brought 3 kids from the Pool 7 to the float on Pool 8 through the locks. This boat he made during a wildlife career in Alaska, brought it via AlCan and other roads to his home area of Brice Prairie by trailer. If you do a Google on "Fritz Funk boat" you'll see some interesting articles on home made boats.
The fishing was slow on the float. The scenery was spectacular. Our next gig is to go to a local rod and gun club to get ready for fall hunting.

The La Crosse chapter is looking for ideas about a meeting location where we could have campfires and snacks a couple times per month. Parks have potential, but if the group isn't camped there, fires might not be allowed. Somebody living in town that has a big lot with a fire ring might be a place.

One of our long time, dedicated mentors passed away recently and his workmates put on a benefit for his family at the American Legion in Onalaska on 5-29-23.
Why I didn't take a picture of our beautiful KAMO trailer  in front of the building where the event was held is exactly why I fired myself from being chapter photographer years ago. Here's a couple other shots though.

La Crosse area KAMOs event schedule includes: Fossil hunting, morel foraging, Kids Fishing Days, Dragonfly Day, and more....

Matyx with first turkey from 4/16/2023. Hunted with mentor Chris Weber in the Beaver Dam area.

The Coulee Chapter has been doing some open water fishing on the kids days off of school for Easter Break. We've been going to a backwater slough on Lake Onalaska. The pelicans have been present in large numbers. No pelican pics, just kids.
Today's kids were older - they were from the Good Fight Community Center in La Crosse. It's not about the size of the fish. For two of these kids, it was their first.

Dodge County Conservation KAMO had an outing on Green Bay the weekend of 2-18/19-23.
Some kids got lucky.