The Texas Brigades, a series of seven youth leadership camps centered around various wildlife and natural resource subjects, are open for registration, organizers said.

Dr. Dale Rollins, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service wildlife specialist at San Angelo and the camps’ founder, said applications are now being accepted, but must be in by the March 15 deadline.

The all-inclusive tuition for each camp is $500 per cadet. Rollins said applications for tuition assistance are available.

To apply or for more information, go to https://www.texasbrigades.org or contact the Texas Brigades headquarters in San Antonio, at 210-556-1391 or https://[email protected]. 

 The 2018 camp dates and locations are:

Each camp, limited to 30 participants, is an intense resource-focused leadership development program for youth 13-17 years-old. The programs, each with a single featured theme, include two quail camps and one each on deer, bass, redfish, waterfowl and ranching.

“The ultimate goal is to equip youth with the resources and conviction they’ll need to make a positive, informed difference in conservation and land stewardship throughout their lives,” Rollins said.

“When we started these camps 26 years ago with the original Bobwhite Brigade, I had no idea the camps would last this long, nor impact so many youths. My experiences with the Brigades have been the highlight of my career.”

The Texas Brigades have evolved into a non-profit organization, Rollins said. It works in partnership with AgriLife Extension, Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, as well as universities, conservation groups, local soil and water conservation districts, private businesses and individuals with an interest in wildlife and youth leadership development.