The Arizona Game and Fish Department, in partnership with Wildlife for Tomorrow, collaborated to create a summer camp dedicated to inspiring youth to appreciate the beauty of nature, experience wildlife firsthand, and learn about Arizona’s valuable natural resources. This beloved program began in the summer of 2016 and was a wonderful success in educating future generations about the outdoors. Although the camp has not operated since 2020, we hold fond memories of those years and remain hopeful that we will be able to offer this incredible experience again someday!

The camp was held at the Hirsch Conservation Education Area, located at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Ben Avery Shooting Facility in North Phoenix. Named in honor of Bob and Mary Hirsch, longtime Arizonans and passionate advocates for outdoor education, this site was their dream—a place where youth could explore the wonders of nature. Whether it was fishing, hunting, camping, boating, bird watching, or other outdoor activities, Bob and Mary understood the vital role that outdoor experiences play in shaping young lives.