A group of Bellefontaine High School students recently enjoyed a unique outdoor education opportunity at Myeerah Nature Preserve.
State Wildlife Officer Adam Smith started the morning with a lesson on trapping, including a demonstration on how to properly set hunting traps just below ground level.
Officer Smith then showed how to set snare traps in a tree line. He stressed that trappers are responsible for checking their traps each day.
BHS School Resource Officer Doug Walters then showcased his knowledge and passion for archery. Officer Walters, who’s a competitive archer, brought a few different bows to the camp.
He touted the advantages of bow hunting. Students then shot rubber arrows into targets.
Longtime BHS teacher Aaron Garver led a presentation on fishing. Garver taught students how to properly rig a fishing line.
Students then went fishing at the nearby lake, and the day concluded with a hot meal prepared at the camp.
Four of the students used the day as part of their capstone project, which is required to graduate. The class is taught by Rick Reed and Taylor Elson.
Ten of the students were in Garver’s woods class at BHS.
“It was a great experience for our students. Thomas Hunsicker, Matt Drake, Blake Cramer, and Ty Conwell approached me about putting on an outdoor event for their capstone project,” Reed said.
“I loved the uniqueness of the idea and was excited to get the support of Mr. Garver, Officer Walters and Officer Smith. All three gentlemen did a great job exhibiting skills to the students, then allowing our students to engage. I think we all walked away from this saying it should be a yearly event at BHS.”