Sixteen of the 17 members of the NYLC gathered in southern Illinois near Carbondale the weekend of July 25-27 to hold their summer meeting. The group camped in tents and participated in outdoor education activities led by Curt Carter, director of the Land for Learning Institute. Although it was hot and humid, the group kept cool swimming, canoeing and kayaking. They also helped cook some fantastic campfire meals, made presentations on their individual projects, selected candidates to be elected as officers, learned about historic primitive tools, participated in a session on how to conduct meetings using parliamentary procedure, got better acquainted with raccoon circles and other activities and enjoyed fishing and visiting. Photos of their activities are included.

National Youth Leadership Council at the Summer Meeting in Southern Illinois

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Hello Yall:

I am currently at pheasant fest in Madison, Wisconsin……having a blast with Eric as IT support for pheasant fest!!!

Brooks VanDerBeek

Oskaloosa, IA
Mahaska County

Tell us about your family:

We are very involved in our Pf chapter. My dad is the President, I am the Youth Coordinator, and my mom is the Women’s Coordinator. My dad is also Vice President of the state board.

What activities are you involved in at school and in your community?

I am on our shooting team and president of our high school pheasants forever chapter.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to hunt, fish, shoot trap & skeet. I also like to do anything PF or conservation oriented.
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Marie Keefe

Fostoria, OH
Seneca Cty PF Chapter (OH)

Tell us about your family:

My family has a total of 7 people, counting my parents. Therefore, I have 3 sisters and a brother, and I am the eldest and proud to be. I also have 3 dogs named Muzzy (Lab), Daisy (Terrier),  and Schotzy (Lab-Newfoundland). As well as three cats (Goldie, Rascal, and Tabby) and 16 rabbits!

What activities are you involved in at school and in your community?

Activities I participate in include FFA, softball, 4-H, band: I play the sousaphone during marching band and the tuba during concert band, volunteer at Miller Farm, babysit brothers and sisters and neighbor kids, member of the yearbook, class secretary, 4-H president, FFA secretary, hunt (sponsored by chapter), help run Ringneck booth at Pheasant’s Banquet.

What do you like to do in your free time?

With my free time, I like to fish in our pond, get my rabbits ready for the fair, play with my dogs, help my dad tile fields,  help my dad farm, read, work on my 4-H projects, shoot basketball, take walks, ride my bike, talk with friends and family, and go camping.

Why do you want to serve on the Youth Leadership Council? Why will you be a good spokesperson for your age group on conservation?

I would like to serve on the Youth Leadership Council, because I love the outdoors and want to share my love of the outdoors with people. I also see the need for kids to be outdoors especially in my chapter and I would like to help the situation. I believe I will be a good spokesperson, because I love to express myself and I firmly stand up for my opinions. I also believe I will be a good spokesperson, because my whole life I have always been exposed to wildlife, the environment and conservation. Another plus is because I have found out in the past year that I am an incredible leader with a voice that is both heard and understood.

Any awards or special honors you have received?

Education awards I have received include the 2007 President’s Education Award. I was in the book Who’s Who among Outstanding Students in America, 2006-07 Edition, and I am a proud member of the National Jr. Honor Society. I was also nominated as a Great Lakes Scholar.

I am proud of my basketball team who are currently the co-champions in the BVC and the Cory- Rawson Invitational runners up. My softball team is the 2009 U-14 Hancock County BVC champions. I have been a member of 4-h for 6 years and have also gotten nominated for the 2009 Outstanding 4-H member and the 2009 Danforth Award. As well as 3rd place in county and 8th place in districts  for the FFA creed speaking contest and the FFA Star Greenhand Award. My future goal is to obtain my individual honor award in 4-H. Another goal is to become either a soils specialist or a conservation engineer.

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Carson Miller

Macon, MO
Mid Mo Young Guns Chapter

Tell us about your family:

I live with my mom and dad on 40 acres. We have 2 horses, 4 English pointers, and 1 lab. We like to travel and spend time at the lake.

What activities are you involved in at school and in your community?

Basketball, track, youth group, 4-H, Quail Forever.
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