Education
Rivercourse
The North Carolina State Council of Trout Unlimited is proud to sponsor annually the N.C.T.U. Rivercourse: Coldwater Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp. This program is designed to teach the ethics of coldwater conservation to our youth. The camp is scheduled for June 19th through 24th, 2011 at Lake Logan Center near Canton. The area features the pristine habitat and rich history of the West Fork of the Pigeon River and the mountainous region of Haywood County, North Carolina.
Through the use of both traditional and natural classrooms, the campers will receive instruction by volunteer experts in specialties such as geology, entomology, herpetology, stream restoration techniques, wetlands ecology, and environmental policy. In addition, fly-fishing and fly tying instruction will reinforce traditional values of patience, technique, attention to detail and a general love of the outdoors.
Our program features an all day field trip to the nearby Davidson River. Classes on riparian buffers, fish dissection, and trout raising are taught by US Forest Service and North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission personnel. Campers will participate in the planting of native species that will become a part of the riparian buffer along the river.
Swimming is an optional activity being offered. At least one certified lifeguard will be on duty during swimming.
Campers are lodged in cottages with double occupancy rooms and private bathrooms. Adult chaperones are lodged with the campers. All meals are included and served at a modern dining hall.
TU chapters and members throughout the state contribute flies, tools, materials, and sponsorships to help make the camp a success. The camp staff is comprised of TU volunteers, including a camp doctor, that are commited to ensuring that the campers have an enjoyable, safe, and rewarding experience.
By impressing upon our youth of today the importance of these natural habitats to the well being of all living creatures, they will be better prepared to make a positive contribution to the future.
Sixteen boys and girls ranging from 13-15 years of age will be selected to attend camp. The cost of camp is $595.00 for the all-inclusive week. Tuition is not due until candidates have been notified of selection. Rocky River Trout Unlimited has been proud to sponsor a camper for the past several years, if you have a youth that fits the requirements, contact Bill Thomas for more information.
For more information about N.C.T.U. Rivercourse Youth Camp, please go to the North Carolina Trout Unlimited website at: http://www.nctu.org/rivercourse.html
RRTU Scholarship Program
In 2006 a project was undertaken to raise money for a $1000 scholarship. This money was raised in part by the sale of RRTU window decals at our chapter meetings. In 2007 RRTU in association with North Carolina Wildlife Federation awarded the RRTU $1000 Scholarship to Miss Amy Raybuck. Amy is a student at NC State and is pursuing a Masters Degree on Wildlife Biology.
In 2008 RRTU awarded a $1000 Scholarships to NC State Graduate student, Brad Carey working on a Master of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Science. Brad is currently going to school and working in a coop program between NC State and the Army Corp of Engineers on B. Everett Jordon Lake. Brad has a BS Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Clemson University. (May 2006)
In 2008 RRTU awarded a second $1000 Scholarship to Appalachian State University student, Erin Singer. Erin is working on a Master of sceince degree in Boiology - Freshwater Ecology and Conservation from ASU. In preparation for the upcoming school year she was employed by the ASU Biology Department as a Research Technician.
Trout In the Classroom
December 2008 saw the first Trout In the Classroom program in the Charlotte area. One of our members, Dr David James from Davidson ,NC brought this project to our attention. Dr. James contacted Rochelle Gandor, Youth Education Coordinator for Trout Unlimited and National
Coordinator for the TIC Program. Rochelle put Dr. James in touch with Rusty Berrier, NCTU who informed RRTU that there was a host school in our area that was interested in the Trout In the Classroom project. The Board of Directors acted quickly and approved funding for this project.
On December 9, 2008 RRTU sponsored and set up it's first Trout In the Classroom educational project. This project is housed at Davidson Day School, Davidson NC in the classroom of science teacher Mrs.Vicki Carbone. Dr. David James, a Veterinarian, that has a Daughter in Mrs. Carbone's 4th grade science class. The energy and enthusiasm that Mrs. Carbone has for her students and their educational experiences is the quintessential type teacher for this project.
Vicki Carbone, Davidson Day School / TIC Teacher
The equipment was delivered to the Davidson Day School by Steve Hennings, from the Blue Ridge Chapter of TU and NCTU on December 9. The set-up took around two hours to get the aquarium and chiller up and running. With the chiller set a 55 degrees and the filters and other equipment working, the only thing needed now are the eggs. The eggs will be picked up on Thursday December 18 from the NCWRC Marion Hatchery. We were hoping to have Brook Trout eggs but were a little late in getting all our equipment together and functioning properly. We are now getting fresh Rainbow Trout eggs. These eggs should hatch about the time the students return from their Christmas break.
Steve Hennings NCTU TIC Coordinator and Dr, David James
RRTU would like to thank Dr. James, Mrs Carbone and Steve Hennings for their respective roles in this project. We will be working closely with the Davidson Day School in the following few months and plan to be there when the students release the Rainbow fingerlings in the Spring.
Dr. David James, Jim Mabrey (RRTU) and Vicki Carbone
These are the local TIC Project Coordinators
Link to Trout in the Classroom Program : www.ticnc.org
Our first venture into the Trout In the Classroom came to a successful conclusion on May 19,2009.
The Sixth Grade class from Davidson Day School made the hour and a half trip from Davidson to South Mountain State Park in 4 vans. The students, 14 total, were accompanied by Mrs. Carbone, the Elementary Science Instructor and several parents. Each student had prepared an 'Ode to Trout' to commemorate the release of the fry they had help raise. The poems were very well done and comical. The students really did enjoy this project and learned a great deal about trout and their fragile environment. The year was full of challenges for the students, from problems with water quality, a feeder gone wild and learning the definition of a 'pinhead'. Each student was give a cup with about 6 to seven fish in it to release into the Jacobs Fork River.
From the 300 to 400 eggs we were given we were able to release about 100 Rainbow Trout that were in the 2" to 3" range. Our little guys seemed to be happy to finally be in big water. Plans are underway to do a second TIC program next year as well as the one at Davidson Day School
RRTU added 2 more TIC programs in the 2009/2010 school year in addition to the Davidson Day School program which is now in their second year. The first new one was at Providence Day School in Charlotte and this program is administered by Derrick Willard. Derrick is a member of the Chapter and is also the Science Department Chair for Providence Day School. The Providence Day program is hosted in the Senior Science Lab at the school and the Seniors are the 'hands on' students with this program. The PDS students released their trout in the headwaters of the Green River. Mr. Willard also has a blog that is updated periodically and keeps everyone current with the PDS TIC program. Our second school is also in Charlotte but is our first public school. RRTU wants to welcome Beverly Woods Elementary School on board as a TIC program school. This school is unique in that the program is under the direction of Andrew Israel, who has two Daughters attending the school. The TIC tank is located in the Library at the school and is viewed by most of the students everyday. The Beverly Woods trout release took place at South Mountain State Park in the Ravens Fork River at the upper parkimg lot. We had about 10 students and 6 parents that were there on their own time on a Saturday morning to participate in the release. The TIC program for the 2009/2010 year was responsible for the release of over 150 trout fingerlings into the wild. Thank You to all those teachers, students and parents that made this our most successful year yet.
2010/2011 Update;
RRTU now has 6 TIC programs up and running in the Charlotte area. 3 are in public schools and 3 are in private schools. More to come on each school and their program and experience with TIC.