The conference will be held for four days commencing Friday, May 15 through Monday, May 18, 2009 at the Sly Park Conference Center in the El Dorado National Forest, five miles south of Pollock Pines.
This conference has as its purpose the exposure of the actual business of land management within a National Forest. It involves the students in the land-use decision making process by sharpening the student's awareness of the interdependence of man and his surroundings. Subjects presented at the conference include inter-relationship of our resources (air, water, soil, wildlife, forests and esthetics) found in a Central California High Sierra ecosystem, and how they are affected by man's influence, dependence and actions. Concepts of land management will be introduced and students will be asked to make real decisions, both individually and in groups, and show the logical development of such decisions. This is mostly a hands-on program with minimum lecture time. Participants are both male and female high school students in the Sophomore and Junior classes in order that they might speak to others the following year. They should have a desire to continue school on a college level, majoring in some branch of Forestry, Conservation, Ecology or a related field. Students MUST be excused from all school activity on Friday May 15th and Monday May 18th. Cost for the four days is $300.00 per student, plus an additional fee for transportation that is provided by a chartered bus. Bus schedules will be out May 10, 2009.
Attention Los Angeles Area Sponsors:
Please make sure your students understand, they leave THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2009 The transportation fees:
Los Angeles pickup point is Post 397, not Patriotic Hall - $65.00
Bakersfield/Tulare - $60
Gilroy, San Jose, Bay Area - $50.00
Fresno, Central Valley - $50.00
The sponsoring American Legion Posts or other service clubs pays these monies; however, the Legion must choose the students.
Professional cooks will prepare all meals and housing will be at the Sly Park Education Conference Center, under the supervision of the Sacramento School District. There will be space available for 70 students and a minimum of about 12 adult chaperones. Full insurance coverage is also provided. For further information:
American Legion 916-482-9474
USDA Forest Service 530-622-5061 | 
