By Jayne Roohr
Youth: What gets you outdoors?
Starting November 18, students 18 years old and under can submit a Youth in the Outdoors Survey to the Newberry DNR Customer Service Center to be entered into a prize drawing. Surveys are accepted through January 10. The quick four-question survey is an opportunity for youth to share what their outdoor interests are, and to help identify ways the DNR can assist in providing opportunities for youth to enjoy or learn more about different outdoor pursuits.
Prize drawings will occur weekly with youth being entered into prize drawings as soon as they return a survey. Exciting grand prize drawings will occur on January 10; youth will pick from an outdoor/hunting gear package, fishing gear package, winter gear package, and a rock hunter’s package. Weekly prizes include something for all ages such as outdoor pocket guides, fishing poles and tackle, archery targets, hammocks, bug catchers, blacklight flashlights, bird houses and feeders, coloring books, stuffed animals, birding guides, games, hats, hunting vests, first aid kits, blankets, binoculars, outdoor explorer kits, walkie-talkies, snow tubes, camp chairs, trapping gear, wildlife posters, sleeping bags, and so much more! Youth will need to come to the Newberry DNR Customer Service Center to pick out prizes for themselves.
Over the past three years, local youth shared their interests with DNR wildlife division staff through this survey, and that information was used to create events including free trapping workshops for youth, birdhouse decorating events, tree planting opportunities with the DNR, and woodcock walks. Surveys will continue to be used to create future events for local youth geared towards their interests that they share through the survey.
Last year 91 surveys were returned, and 44 youth were drawn as weekly prize winners.
Surveys can be picked up at these locations: Newberry DNR Customer Service Center, Naubinway DNR Field Office, The Newberry News, Newberry Ace Hardware, S&J Sports, Mark’s Rod & Reel, Renze Power Sports, Snyders Drug Store, and Illumin8 Youth at the Moosetache.
Surveys can be completed online: https://bit.ly/DNRYouthSurvey
If you need assistance in submitting a survey, call (906) 293-5131 or email sitark@michigan.gov.
You can also be showcased in the Newberry News!
Along with your survey, youth are encouraged to submit a picture of themselves enjoying the great outdoors while camping, hunting, hiking, fishing, ATV riding, snowshoeing, rock-picking, or whatever they like. Pictures will be featured in the Newberry News! Submit photos to the Newberry DNR Customer Service Center along with your survey by email, mail, or drop it off at the office located at 5100 State HWY M-123, Newberry MI 49868. Be sure to include a short caption to go with the photo.
