By Kerri McDonald, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office

Plan Now For Summer Youth Camps and Academies

The deadline to apply for several exciting Chickasaw Nation Summer Youth camps and academies is fast approaching.  A wide variety of fun camps and clinics are scheduled for the summer months, so make plans now to attend. The camps and academies are free of charge to Chickasaw youth, and are funded by tribal businesses.

May Events

The deadline to apply for Camp Survivor is April 14. Camp Survivor is set for May 27-30 at Camp Classen near Davis, Oklahoma. This overnight camp is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition and exercise in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. A wide variety of outdoor activities are planned, from swimming to horseback riding.  For more information about Camp Survivor, contact Allen Elliott at 580-310-9661 or email allen.elliott@chickasaw.net.

June Events

Ada Tennis Camp, set for early June, has an application deadline of May 12. Two camps are planned, a beginner camp, from June 9-13, and an intermediate camp June 2-6.  Both sessions are open to Native American youth ages eight to 18 and are conducted at the Ada Tennis Center in Ada, Oklahoma from 8 a.m. until noon. The beginner's session teaches all the fundamentals of the game and the intermediate session is for experienced players who want to improve their game. For more information, contact Matt Folsom at 580-272-5509 or email matt.folsom@chickasaw.net.

Entrepreneurship Academy is set for June 1-6 is for Chickasaw students ages 15-19 who have an interest in business. The academy is a partnership between Southeastern Oklahoma State University's John Massey School of Business and the Chickasaw Nation, and is conducted on the SOSU campus. Student will stay at the Chickasaw Nation Children's Village in Kingston during this overnight camp.  Upon completion of the academy, students graduate with a completed business plan and the tools and knowledge to write future business plans. Application deadline is April 26. For more information, contact Beth Campbell or Callie Roebuck at 580-421-7711, or email beth.campbell@chickasaw.net.

Conducted at NASA in Houston, Texas, June 9-13, the Johnson Space School NASA’s Space School is designed to take students ages 15-18 through a challenging week-long exploration of their own engineering talents.  The focus of this school is on teamwork, problem solving, communication, and adaptation to unexpected problems. Chickasaw students will get to see the real NASA in action. Applications should be submitted to the Chickasaw Nation Dept. of Education Services by April 15.  Contact Amber Fox or Jennifer Parks at 580-421-7711 for more information or email amber.fox@chickasaw.net.
 
FCA Xtreme Camp is set June 15-19 at Cross Point Camp in Kingston, Oklahoma.
Deadline to apply for the camp is May 1. This camp is chalk-full of physical challenges including water skiing, water tubing, rappelling and a ropes course. This camp, for students ages 15-18, also features outstanding speakers and great music and emphasizes on leadership. For more information, contact Melissa Wilkerson at 580-310-6620, or email melissa.wilkerson@chickasaw.net.
 
The deadline to apply to Golf Camp is May 12. The beginners- intermediate camp is set June 16-17 and June 18-19 for advanced players. Both camps will be conducted at Winstar Golf Course in Thackerville, Oklahoma. Along with an introduction to the game, participants will receive the tools needed to build a solid foundation for the game of golf. The camp targets 150 Native American youth ages eight to 18 and it is an overnight camp. For more information, contact Chris Alford at 580-272-5551, or email chris.alford@chickasaw.net.

Pehlichi Ikbi (Leadership Camp) will be conducted June 21-22 at the Chickasaw Nation Family Life Center and Lazer Zone Family Fun Center in Ada. The deadline to apply for this camp is May 12. Pehlichi Ikbi is open to students ages 13-18 and provides plenty of opportunities to learn leadership and life skills. For more information, contact Tonya Bierce at 580-310-9540, or email tonya.bierce@chickasaw.net.

Open to Chickasaw students ages 11-14, FCA Camp WOW will get underway June 29-July 3. The camp application deadline is May 1. This camp is conducted at Camp WOW near Gerty, Oklahoma, and focuses on fun, personal growth and plenty of land and water competitions. For more information, contact Melissa Wilkerson at 580-310-6620, or email melissa.wilkerson@chickasaw.net.
 
Youth Basketball Clinics will be conducted June 30-July 1 in Ada and Ardmore, Oklahoma.  Application deadline is June 6. Open to students ages seven to 14, this clinic teaches basketball techniques from current and former high school and university players and coaches. Students may choose one clinic.  For more information, contact Barry Needham at 580-272-5505, or email barry.needham@chickasaw.net.

Chickasaw Nation Space and Aviation Camp (CNASA) will blast off June 23-27. This day camp is open to fifth through twelfth grade students. Students spend the action-packed week flying in simulators, learning through hands-on demonstrations, and have a chance to fly in a real plane. The camp will be conducted in Ada, and the application deadline is April 15. For more information, contact Jennifer Parks at 580-421-7711, or email jennifer.parks@chickasaw.net.

Two events set in June, Native American Youth Junior Open and the Chickasaw Nation Summer Youth Karate Tournament, offer on-site registration.  The Native American Youth Junior Open will get underway June 7 at Lakeview Golf Course in Ardmore.  The event is open to all Native American youth ages eight to 18 and gives young golfers the experience of a tournament without the pressure of a traditional tournament. There is an entry fee of $20. For more information, contact Chris Alford at 580-272-5551 or email chris.alford@chickasaw.net. 

The Summer Youth Karate Tournament is set for June 14 and is open to youth ages five and older. It will be conducted at the Chickasaw Nation Family Life Center in Ada. There is a tournament entry fee, but fees for Chickasaw participants will be paid by the Chickasaw Nation. Registration begins at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Matt Clark at 580-272-5504, or email matt.clark@chickasaw.net.

July Events

The ever-popular Champions Football Camp will be offered again this year in Ada July 10-12. Open to male students ages seven to 18, the day-clinic teaches the fundamentals of football, teamwork and leadership. The camp is led by veteran coach Ken Heupel and features former University of Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel and several current and former collegiate and professional players. Deadline to register for the camp is June 6. For more information, contact Barry Needham at 580-272-5505, or email barry.needham@chickasaw.net.
 
The second annual Archery Camp, hosted by the Chickasaw Nation Division of Education, is set July 7-9.  During the camp students learned the fundamentals of archery, including proper aiming and shooting techniques, and safety tips. The camp is open to Chickasaw youth ages eight to 18. Application deadline is May 1. The location of the camp will be announced at a later date. For more information, contact Chenae Lippard at 580-436-0877 or email chenae.lippard@chickasaw.net.

Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy (CSAA) will be conducted July 14 through 25 on the campus of East Central University (ECU). CSAA is a two-week academy that provides youth opportunities to gain experience in artistic fields ranging from acting, writing, dance, music, composition, visual and vocal arts. Students ages eight to 19 are eligible to audition for the academy. Auditions are scheduled April 26 at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), Edmond, Oklahoma and May 3 at ECU. For more information, contact Laura Stewart at 580-332-1092 or email laura.stewart@chickasaw.net.

Chikasha Sayah (I Am Chickasaw) camp will be conducted at Camp Goddard, near Davis on Lake Arbuckle, July 16-18. Chickasaw heritage and culture lessons are top priorities at this camp, which is open to students ages eight to 12. Utilizing the unique camp grounds and Camp Goddard’s hands-on Native American culture exhibit, this camp promises to provide summertime fun and fellowship. Application deadline is June 6. For more information, contact Melissa Wilkerson at 580-310-6620 or email melissa.wilkerson@chickasaw.net.

Chickasaw girls ages 10 to 18 will enjoy the Softball Clinic, set for July 29-30 at the Ada High School Softball Field in Ada. Former and current college and high school coaches and players teach the importance of positive attitudes, conditioning, pitching and catching techniques and teamwork. The application deadline for this day clinic is June 6. For more information, contact Barry Needham at 580-272-5505 or email barry.needham@chickasaw.net.

August Events

Camp Yakni Moma Alphisa (Justice for a Nation) is a new camp for 2008. Camp Yakni Moma Alphisa is planned for August 4-5 in Ada. This two-day clinic will educate those in grades nine through 12 about the operations of the tribe's court system. Students will meet tribal judges and justices, Chickasaw Lighthorse Police officers, tribal Peacemakers and court staff. The camp will also emphasize leadership and personal growth. Deadline to apply to this camp is July 7. For more information, contact Jason Burwell at the Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court at 580-235-0281 or 1-800-479-1455 or email jason.burwell@chickasaw.net.

Tanumpo Hosa Apisa Camp (Shooting Camp) is an overnight camp set for August 6-8 at the Chickasaw Children’s Village in Kingston. Gun safety and marksmanship techniques are featured in this camp. Students will use CO2 powered pellet guns to learn Olympic-style target shooting. Application deadline is July 7. Enrollment in this camp is limited to 50 students from ages 12-18. For more information, contact Barry Needham at 580-272-5505 or email barry.needham@chickasaw.net.

All applicants must include a copy of the camper's CDIB card and Chickasaw youth must also include a copy of their citizenship card. Submitting the application does not guarantee selection to the camp.