Riley Wilderness Camp Scholarships Available. Apply Now!

lschultz • April 20, 2023

Apply here:

At the Riley Wilderness Camp hosted by the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp in Chelsea, MI and sponsored by SCI-Novi with a generous donation from the Riley Foundation, children are given the opportunity to learn more about hunting and conservation and even get their hunter safety certificates. For 6 days and 5 night’s children ages 9-14 are given the opportunity to leave their cell phones tablets, and other electronics at home and spend time learning about the environment around them. This camp program focuses on teaching useful technical outdoor life skills. During their week at camp, campers will increase their knowledge of conservation issues though hands-on nature exploration. The campers spend the week living in cabins on a property that consists of 250 acres of white pine forest, bordered on one side by a bog and on another by the waterfront of Cedar Lake.  Far away from the bright lights of the city, but close enough to metro-Detroit to only be an hour drive, this setting gives the campers a great opportunity to learn about and experience the outdoors on a personal level.

The goal of the 2023 Riley Wilderness Youth Camp is to provide the opportunity for 10 boys and girls to connect with nature and to learn about hunting and conservation.

Selected youth are provided a full scholarship to attend 1 of 2 sessions of camp depending on age.  The Riley Jr. Camp is for boys and girls ages 9-11 and focuses on a sampling of outdoor activities, ranging from archery and canoeing to fishing and hunter safety class.

The other camp option is the Riley Advanced Camp for boys and girls age 12-14. This camp is focused on the skills and techniques of hunting in Michigan.  We focus on turkey, deer, small game and waterfowl hunting techniques, as well as wildlife conservation.  Youth in the advanced camp will also have the opportunity to become hunter safety certified and will spend time shooting trap and the 3D archery course during their week at camp.

These scholarships are available to youth who are interested in connecting and learning more about the outdoors and all are encouraged to apply.  The candidates who most qualify for the award will meet the following criteria:  1. Youth with limited outdoor experience, 2. Lack of a mentor to help them get started and learn about the outdoors, 3. Not yet having earned a Michigan Hunter Safety Certificate, and 4. Lack of family financial resources to attend a camp like program. We have limited spots so please apply soon.

More information on the camp can be found at www.mucccamp.org.

Recent Posts

June 2025 NRC Recap

By Justin Tomei • June 12, 2025
The Natural Resources Commission met today in Bay City. There were no orders for information or action on the agenda. The big news was the commission brought back up the order to reinstate the year-round coyote season, and a vote will happen in August to satisfy posting and notice requirements. MUCC created the Coyote Coalition to put pressure on the NRC, and with today’s inaction, we know that it’s working. With the continued support of the coalition, we will continue fighting to protect proposal G. Consider joining the Coyote Coalition , and let the commission know that inaction is not acceptable, and to follow their legal charge and responsibility. Chair Becky Humphries announced new committee memberships. Wildlife Committee will be chaired by Commissioner John Walters, Governance, Finance and Policy will be chaired by Chair Humphries, Fisheries will be chaired by Commissioner Dave Anthony. There were no other orders for information or action. The next meeting returns to Lansing on July 10.

Conservation Cohort: Training Young Conservationists

By Olivia Triltsch • June 12, 2025
Last week on June 3rd and June 4th, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) hosted a two-day training for young professionals.

PlayCleanGo Awareness Week: Taking Action on Invasive Species

By Katelyn Helsel • June 11, 2025
This week marks the annual PlayCleanGo Awareness Week , taking place from June 7-14. Hosted by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), this week encourages outdoor enthusiasts to help stop the spread of invasive species through simple actions. This year’s theme, “Partnering Together to Protect Our Favorite Places”, focuses on the importance of collaboration with Invasives Canada and CONABIO to illustrate how actions can create meaningful change across North America.
More Posts