12th ANNIVERSARY
TED NUGENT KAMP FOR KIDS 2009
By Kevin Markt
Click here to go back to Kamp for Kids web page
June 6, 2009, Walnut Creek Lake in Papillion, Nebraska. 80 kids, 30 volunteers, bows, arrows, air guns, fishing poles, 15 dozen worms, traps, game calls, over 300 hot dogs, snacks, a sound system, a guitar and Ted Nugent who flew in from Texas on his way to New Brunswick to go on a bear hunt. These were the main ingredients for a great day that made up the 12th annual Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids in Nebraska.
We had 80 kids attend Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids (TNKFK). They received instruction in archery, gun safety using air guns, fishing, trapping, game calling and traditional archery. Every station was a hands-on experience ranging from rattling horns, making a bow string, following a simulated blood trail to find a “dead” 3-D deer, going down to the lake to set a trap, baiting their hooks and catching fish, flinging arrows and shooting pellets at the bulls-eye.
After the kids finished lunch, Ted talked to the them about being the best they can be, staying away from drugs, alcohol, tobacco and banjo music. (4 things that are harmful to your health) He also gave them a history lesson about D-Day. The Nebraska TNKFK was held on the 65th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy. He asked the kids and the parents in attendance to go up to people in the military they see and thank them for their service and sacrifices they make to ensure that we have the freedom to be the best that we can be and to be able to attend events like this kamp.
After Ted talked to the kids he got out the guitar and played his songs “I just Wanna go Hunting” and “Fred Bear.” People then got in line to have Ted sign everything from their shirts, hats, stickers and even the Bad Boy Buggie that was loaned to us for the day from Reynoldson Motors in Eagle, Nebraska.
Ted went to all of the stations with the kids and provided hands-on instruction and tips to the kids. Keith Mark from Macmillan River Adventures was on hand to film the days events for Ted’s Spirit of the Wild television show on the Outdoor Channel. Local television stations and a local newspaper were on hand to report on the Kamp.
At the conclusion of the Kamp, each kid received a fishing pole and a tackle box filled with goodies. We also had special prizes for the biggest fish, best air gun marksmen and the most accurate archer of the day.
We would like to thank all of the volunteers that spent the day at the lake with us. Of course, this event would not be possible without the help of a lot of great sponsors. Without your help this kamp would not be possible.
The following people or companies have donated to the 2009 Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids
Papillion Parks and Recreation Department
City of Papillion
Ted Nugent United Sportsmen of America
Iowa Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep
Full Draw Archery
Mathews Inc
Papio-Missouri River NRD
Orion Archery Club
Mike & Cindy Tomcak
Omaha Retail Meat Dealers Association
Nebraska Bowhunters Association
Cabela’s
Canfields
Nebraska Game & Parks
Primos Game Calls
Golden Arrow Archery Club
Outdoor Adventures
National Wild Turkey Federation