URsus americanus
The FPYC experience includes many rare opportunities to see God’s creation in its natural surroundings. Not the least of these is the occasional black bear sighting. Lots of very excited campers returned from FPYC with first-hand accounts of the local wildlife. Not surprisingly, a number of concerned parents do not share the same kind of excitement as their children. In light of this, the camp leadership would like to reassure parents of their children’s safety and mention a few precautions the camp has taken to minimize interaction between campers and bears.
First, one should be aware that although there are occasional sightings during the camp season, the total number of sightings has dropped considerably from past summers. Also, the location of the sightings has tended to be along the edges of the developed campgrounds instead of through the middle. Both of these facts can be largely credited to the camp’s new procedures for garbage disposal. Items which used to attract bears have been separated and composted away from the camping area. This has completely changed the bears' scavenger routes.
Next, all campers are informed of proper behavior to avoid any problems with the local bear population. These instructions are delivered by the camp director at the start of each session and include everything from why one shouldn’t keep food in the cabins, to the dos and don’ts of black bear encounters. There are also DNR pamphlets posted in the dining hall which go into great detail on the Northern Minnesota black bear.
Parents should understand that the camping experience sometimes includes rare opportunities to see God’s creation in all its glory and power. At the same time, parents can rest easy knowing that the camp is doing what it can to safeguard their children and provide a safe Christian camp experience.
First, one should be aware that although there are occasional sightings during the camp season, the total number of sightings has dropped considerably from past summers. Also, the location of the sightings has tended to be along the edges of the developed campgrounds instead of through the middle. Both of these facts can be largely credited to the camp’s new procedures for garbage disposal. Items which used to attract bears have been separated and composted away from the camping area. This has completely changed the bears' scavenger routes.
Next, all campers are informed of proper behavior to avoid any problems with the local bear population. These instructions are delivered by the camp director at the start of each session and include everything from why one shouldn’t keep food in the cabins, to the dos and don’ts of black bear encounters. There are also DNR pamphlets posted in the dining hall which go into great detail on the Northern Minnesota black bear.
Parents should understand that the camping experience sometimes includes rare opportunities to see God’s creation in all its glory and power. At the same time, parents can rest easy knowing that the camp is doing what it can to safeguard their children and provide a safe Christian camp experience.