The Mega Conservation Education Raffle Huge Success: Nets $574,531 for Conservation Education and Veteran Family Scholarships

PINEWOOD, S.C. (June 1^st, 2023) Thirty happy winners from 20 different states won nearly $300,000 in prizes donated by a list of supporters and contributors in the outdoor space and beyond.

“We owe the success of this conservation raffle to the incredible support of our Premier Supporter, Palmetto State Armory, plus an awesome team of contributors and raffle ticket purchasers,” said David Wielicki, South Carolina Waterfowl Association, Chief Executive Officer. 

Fifty percent of the net income ($287, 265.50) will be placed in the SCWA Foundation to fund annual scholarships for Veterans, their children and grandchildren to attend weekend parent/child Outdoor Heritage Events. These events include duck, dove and deer hunts, fishing tournaments, shooting clinics and other outdoor skills weekend camp programs at the SCWA Wildlife Education Center (WEC). 

The other fifty percent of the net income from the MCER will be used to help expand the Nation’s leading conservation education center, the SCWA Wildlife Education Center. These funds were recently used to help purchase the 140-acre Barwick tract. This property is adjacent to the WEC and expands the 1,374 acre WEC to the edge of Lake Marion. The property will be home to a new Wildlife Management Apprentice/Instructor Campus, two sporting clays courses, nature trails and wildlife habitat demonstration areas.

SCWA greatly appreciates the support of everyone who purchased a raffle ticket in the Mega Conservation Education Raffle. Stay tuned to the next big raffle announcement. 

Please join us in congratulating the following list of 2023 Mega Conservation Education Raffle Winners:

Ram 1500 Crew Cab Built to Serve Edition Truck: Mark Vaugh

Bentley Pontoons 2023 Fish 223 Fish-N-Cruise 140 Hp Suzuki: David L. Michael

Harley Davidson Pan American Motorcycle: Gregory Goines

New Zealand Red Stag Hunt: Kenneth Chabot

Wild Wildebeest South African Safari for Four: Jared Skelton

Palmetto State Armory $10,000 gift card: Robert C. Day

Rack and Reel Outfitters Montana Elk and Mule Deer Hunt: Michael Short

Jarret Legendary Beanfield Rifle: Thomas Westmoreland

Wyboo Custom Gunworks Rifle: Kendall Adams

Saskatchewan Snow Goose Hunt: Matthew Holt

Alberta Duck and Goose Hunt: John Winesette

South Carolina Whitetail Deer/Hog Hunt: Andree Barra

Casa Carolina Costa Rica House Rental: Lucas Wall

Palmetto State Armory $5,000 Gift Card: Justin Chew

Wings Inc. Mexico White Wing Dove Hunt: David Lesko

Pampa Adventures Argentina Duck, Dove, and Perdiz Hunt: Kieth Daniel

South Carolina Duck Hunt: Charlie Brunton

South Dakota Prairie Dog Hunt: Shawn Sousley

Argentina Black Buck Hunt: Tommy Grainger

Costa Rica Bahia Rica Fishing Trip: Joe McCutchen

Edisto Island South Carolina House Rental: Joseph Heeps

Palmetto State Armory 2,500 Gift Card: Anthony Massey

Palmetto State Armory $2,500 Gift Card: Brandon Clark

Palmetto State Armory $2,500 Gift Card: Jesse Howser

Palmetto State Armory $2,500 Gift Card: Matt Redecker

Palmetto State Armory $2,500 Gift Card: Nicholas Austin

Palmetto State Armory $2,500 Gift Card: Roland Ginelsa

BirdFest Bluegrass Festival Deluxe VIP Weekend for 4 People: Stephen L. Robinson

Spotttail Charters 4 Person 2 Day SC Inshore Fishing Trip: Donald Scott

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) Benefactor Soiree Package: Jason Keskemety

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation.

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Media Contact:

Maria Hackney

Communications Director

communications@scwa.org

(803) 825-8078

Whitetail Properties Real Estate LLC Partners with Camp Leopold and the South Carolina Waterfowl Association

PINEWOOD, S.C. (March 9^th, 2023) – A first-time grant from Whitetail Properties Real Estate LLC will allow the South Carolina Waterfowl Association to bring more than 50 students to Camp Leopold this school year to provide STEM-based learning experiences through hands-on outdoor education.

The $2,000 scholarship program will be available to Title I students throughout the state. Participants will spend up to three days and two nights at Camp Leopold’s Wildlife Education Center in Pinewood and partake in unique, experiential learning opportunities in conservation education.  

“The opportunity to partner with Whitetail Properties has been a great opportunity for Camp Leopold”, said Joe Gonzalez, Camp Leopold Director of Sales and Marketing. “Each organization shares a like-minded view of conservation and its importance to the next generation, so this partnership has been a great way to provide further reach for all groups involved.”

Students will be immersed in the ecosystems they learn about in science class during their time at Camp Leopold, getting an up-close perspective of the plants and animals that inhabit their state. Exploring the relationships between living things and understanding the importance of conservation principles- many of which students can adopt in their everyday lives- are cornerstones of the Camp Leopold program.

“The intrinsic value of the landscape and connecting people with the land are a few of the main cornerstones of the Whitetail Properties foundation”, said Michael Galka, a Land Specialist for Whitetail Properties. “We are excited about the opportunity to connect young people with the outdoors through the Camp Leopold program.” 

With more than 85% of Camp Leopold students attending on scholarship, SCWA cannot thank its corporate partners enough. Thanks to generous contributions from organizations such as Whitetail Properties, our team is able to continue making the Camp Leopold experience a reality for students who would otherwise be unable to attend.

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation.

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Media Contact:

Maria Hackney

Communications Director

communications@scwa.org

(803) 825-8078

Pintail Partners 2023

PINEWOOD, S.C. (February 1^st, 2023) – The South Carolina Waterfowl Association (SCWA) will help host Pintail Partners along with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, and the Harry Hampton Foundation to provide the next generation with a duck hunt on one of several private properties. The goal is to get young hunters involved in waterfowl and wetland conservation.

South Carolina Pintail Partners provides additional lottery-based, youth hunting opportunities to eligible individuals and/or parties who were not selected for the SCDNR youth waterfowl lottery hunt. SCDNR provides a list of individuals that were not selected and parties to Pintail Partners after the SCDNR lottery draw has occurred. If selected, the youth duck hunt will be held on February 4th, 2023, on a private duck impoundment in the Rimini/Pinewood, SC area. This hunt will include lunch, a safety talk, and waterfowl-themed activities hosted at SCWA’s Wildlife Education Center prior to the hunt. The following land owners have graciously volunteered to host these youth hunters: Two Ponds Duck Club, Beach Company, Featherhorn Farms, Charlie Rountree, as well as Rozier, and Boyd Blanchard.

SCWA’s Heritage Events Director, Drake Tindal, explains “This is a great opportunity to help educate the next generation in a fun and safe environment, all while giving back to the community. Seeing the smiling faces of children that are given this opportunity makes it all worthwhile.”

“We recognize the lack of access to quality waterfowl habitat and hunting experiences are a huge barrier of entry to young people attempting to enter the sport. SCDNR maximizes opportunities on their state-owned properties, but demand always outpaces their capacity. Pintail Partners is the conduit that allows youth access to a quality hunting experience they otherwise would not have. Our hope is some of these kids will fall in love with the sport and become passionate waterfowlers and conservationists.” (Lou Tocci, Board President of SCWA)

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association looks forward to continuing its hunting partnership with Pintail Partners. Pintail Partners would not be possible without the amazing organizations, landowners, staff members, guides, waterfowl hunting supporters, as well as parents and youth, who come together to make it happen. 

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation.

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Media Contact:

Maria Hackney

Communications Director

communications@scwa.org

(803) 825-8078

From Camp Woodie to The Gary Dietrich Wildlife Apprentice Program

PINEWOOD, S.C. (January 23rd, 2023) – The South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s Gary Dietrich Wildlife Apprentice Program is a 2-year graduate program with the goal of improving habitat management throughout the Southeast. For one of the apprentices, his time with SCWA has come full circle.

Riley Robino of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, is one of the program’s newest apprentices. Robino attended Camp Woodie at eleven years old and was invited back for his first duck hunt. He harvested his first duck and became hooked. Robino quickly realized that he wanted to work for a duck club, so he attended Clemson University and received his degree in Wildlife and Fisheries. Between summers, he worked for Camp Woodie as a shooting instructor and learned about the Gary Dietrich Wildlife Apprentice Program. 

Robino said, “I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn more about what I love to do. I hope to be able to turn my passion into a full-time profession.”

SCWA’s Habitat Manager, Blake Huddleston, shared, “What goes on behind the scenes is a lot more than what people suspect when they arrive to hunt. We need more habitat managers so we can continue educating others on why conservation is so important and what that exactly means.”

To find out more about the Gary Dietrich Wildlife Management Apprentice Program, please go to our website https://scwa.org/about/. 

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation.

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Media Contact:

Maria Hackney

Communications Director

communications@scwa.org

(803) 825-8078

Hands-On Learning Opportunities Are in High Demand Throughout South Carolina Schools

PINEWOOD, S.C. (January 10^th, 2023) – The South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s (SCWA) program, Camp Leopold, is quickly growing and making a difference in student’s educational opportunities in and out of the classroom. The Camp Leopold program is on track to have its largest year since its launch in 2012. So far, Camp Leopold has had 2,615 students attend our on-site program this school year, and nearly 4,500 students have had the curriculum brought to them via in-school programs.

So far in the 2022-2023 school year, Camp Leopold has seen a 35% growth in the number of students in attendance. In November, Camp Leopold hosted its largest overnight group in history that consisted of 121 students. We are so thankful for the students, educators, administrators, staff members, corporate sponsors, and SCWA chapters who have supported the program this year and have helped fund its continuation.

The Camp Leopold Director of Sales and Marketing, Joe Gonzalez, says that “It is rewarding to see this program finally gain traction after years of providing experiential learning opportunities for students. Schools around the state are realizing the impact that outdoor education activities have on their student’s mental well-being as well as their test scores.”

The growth Camp Leopold has experienced over recent years has been truly rewarding. Camp Leopold remains committed to offering the best outdoor education experience to students and will continue to improve, adapt, and create new opportunities and activities for a dynamic experience.

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation.

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Media Contact:

Maria Hackney

Communications Director

communications@scwa.org

(803) 825-8078

Birdfest Music Festival Returns May 5-6 in Pinewood, SC

PINEWOOD, S.C. (December 21, 2022) – The South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s Wildlife Education Center is the new home of BirdFest, a beloved bluegrass music festival, held on May 5-6, 2023 in Pinewood, South Carolina. This year’s BirdFest is headlined by the well-known bluegrass ensemble Steep Canyon Rangers on Friday and Saturday nights. Purchase tickets and learn more at BirdfestMusic.com. 

BirdFest has brought music lovers and folks together for many years to enjoy an unforgettable weekend of good times and great music. Attendees can come to BirdFest knowing that the festival directly improves the quality of life for our community by supporting the youth conservation education programs of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association. The last time family and friends gathered for BirdFest was in 2019. In 2023, BirdFest will continue featuring a family atmosphere accompanied by live music, outdoor activities for both adults and youth, and a new venue, the SCWA Wildlife Education Center.

“BirdFest is where wonderful people gather to hear great bluegrass music in the beauty of nature, while also supporting the development of the next generation of natural resource conservationists,” shared David Wielicki, SCWA CEO. 

Barrett Smith, the original BirdFest director and organizer since the festival began in 2016, shared, “We couldn’t be more excited about bringing BirdFest back in May of 2023. We’re expecting a weekend that has all of the same magic of our old festival, plus some new features that should make it bigger and better than ever. Our new venue, The South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s Wildlife Education Center, is a beautiful setting full of new family-friendly activities. We’re thrilled to welcome Steep Canyon Rangers as our host band on both Friday and Saturday nights.”

Tickets are available for Friday, Saturday, weekend pass, plus speciality options of VIP passes and “Friends of BirdFest.” All options, including how to reserve overnight RV and tent camping, are found at BirdFestMusic.com. 

“The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation.”

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Join a South Carolina Waterfowl Association Chapter Banquet and Make a Difference for Local Youth

Pinewood, SC (November 2^nd, 2022) – The South Carolina Waterfowl Association has just begun its annual banquet season, which helps to raise funds for Camp Woodie, SCWA’s summer camp program. The state of South Carolina consists of 46 counties and currently is comprised of 30 SCWA Chapters with over 500 volunteers. The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation. 

SCWA chapter volunteers and staff host a yearly banquet or conservation dinner designed to raise funds for Camp Woodie, SCWA’s summer camp program. Throughout the year, chapters and volunteers host a variety of events in addition to their annual functions. Most have developed programs and fundraisers designed to involve volunteers and local communities in hands-on waterfowl and wetland conservation work. Some chapters enjoy hosting fishing tournaments, 10-gun raffles, frog gigging tournaments, a last-man-standing competition, bourbon raffles, and field trials to name a few. These efforts are aimed at generating local results with the hopes to help achieve SCWA’s mission to conserve, enhance and perpetuate our waterfowl heritage. 

Mac Bagnal, the Director of Chapter Development, has been a part of chapter development since 2004. Mac says, “I enjoy taking chapter members and volunteers to our Wildlife Education Center so they can see where and how the money raised is being used. The money goes towards program funding or the infrastructure to build educational activities and locations to teach the principles of conservation and our mission to the next set of outdoorsmen. It’s moments like seeing a child explore the center and finding their love for the outdoors that drives my passion and the volunteers to continue to raise funds to send over 150 kids to Camp Woodie each summer, and the reason why I continue in my line of work.”

If you are interested in attending a South Carolina Waterfowl Association chapter event and/or joining the chapter closest to you, please click here to learn more. 

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation.

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Media Contact:

Maria Hackney

Communications Director

communications@scwa.org

(803) 825-8078

Camp Leopold Kicks Off the 2022-2023 School Year

Pinewood, SC (October 3^rd, 2022) – Camp Leopold has officially geared up for the start of a new school year. Camp Leopold is named after Aldo Leopold, who is recognized as the father of wildlife conservation and management. Camp activities are designed to provide a creative outdoor classroom focusing on wildlife, wetland and upland ecology. The Camp Leopold curriculum is uniquely designed to help students and teachers achieve academic standards in science, reading and math through hands-on outdoor education.

Classes and activities for Camp Leopold are designed to cover a wide range of environmental topics highlighting the natural and man-made resources students and teachers will discover. Combining the observation techniques of Aldo Leopold with the rich flora and fauna of Camp Leopold provides a unique opportunity to enrich learning and spark a desire for students to discover the land and its inhabitants. Camp Leopold classes are divided into three separate emphasis areas to achieve these goals: Social-Emotional Learning Emphasis, Nature Exploration Emphasis, and Applied Science Emphasis. 

The main objective is for each student to leave Camp Leopold with a heightened awareness of the natural world. “It has been amazing having so many students back onsite this year! Seeing kids gain their confidence as outdoors explorers is always so rewarding. This past week, for example, I asked a young student what her favorite outdoor thing to explore was, and she meekly replied with ‘I don’t think I have one.’ I was able to catch her before she boarded the bus later that day, and she proudly told me about how much she enjoyed our Forest Ecology class and how leaves are now her favorite outdoor thing to explore. In just one day, this student’s passion for exploring the outdoors was encouraged, and hopefully will continue to burn long after they leave our camp!”, said Camp Leopold Director Abby Zabrodsky. Camp Leopold and the South Carolina Waterfowl Association are excited to host students this coming school year once again.

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation.

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Media Contact:

Maria Hackney

Communications Director

communications@scwa.org

(803) 825-8078

Camp Leopold & the South Carolina Waterfowl Association Announce Partnership with Dominion Energy: Outdoor Education Experience for Columbia Area Youth

Pinewood, SC (September 20^th, 2022) – 

Camp Leopold and the South Carolina Waterfowl Association (SCWA) are grateful to announce a partnership with Dominion Energy. Dominion Energy has pledged $50,000 in support to provide multi-day outdoor education experiences to over 5,000 students within Dominion Energy service territories throughout South Carolina. The funding, which is reserved for students enrolled in Title I schools, will engage participants in hands-on, STEM-based classes that focus on the field of conservation. Students can expect an immersive experience in which they will become familiar with many of the diverse plants and animals of the Southeast, in addition to learning wise management techniques of these natural resources.  

“From the mountains to the sea, South Carolina’s abundant natural resources help to make our state the unique and special place we call home,” said Keller Kissam, president of Dominion Energy South Carolina. “We are proud to partner with the Waterfowl Association to help plant the seed of environmental stewardship in our next generation of South Carolinians as they grow to appreciate our natural wonders and preserve these resources for years to come.”

The main objective is for each student to leave Camp Leopold with a heightened awareness of the natural world. “Dominion Energy has been a long-time supporter of Camp Leopold and has been instrumental in helping to build our education program. Their dedication to supporting youth conservation education is a strong testament to the virtues of the corporation”, said SCWA Executive Director David Wielicki. Camp Leopold and the South Carolina Waterfowl Association are grateful to partner with sponsors like Dominion Energy, as their support is imperative to providing outdoor education opportunities to students who would otherwise be unable to attend.

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation.

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Media Contact:

Maria Hackney

Communications Director

communications@scwa.org

(803) 825-8078

Camp Woodie Welcomed Highest Number of Campers Ever with 1520 Campers in 2022; 2023 Registration is Now Open!

Pinewood, SC (September 2, 2022) In 2022, South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s youth education and wildlife conservation camp, Camp Woodie, saw impressive growth in camper attendance over the 10-week camp schedule. Knowing demand is high, Camp Woodie is opening camp registration for 2023 early. Take advantage of preferred camp weeks by registering at https://wildlifeedcenter.org/camp-woodie/.

In 2022, more than 1,500 campers experienced amazing outdoor activities, overseen by certified camp counselors, from shotgun sports, archery, fishing, canoeing and much more.

Additionally, hundreds of campers received their SCDNR Hunter’s Safety Certification while at camp at no extra charge over the summer.

“Along with developing our next generation of outdoorsmen and women, the benefits of a child attending Camp Woodie are developing lifelong friendships, time unplugging from screens, connection with nature, and our experience fosters confidence development and teaches teamwork.” DuValle Elliott, SCWA’s Chief Education Program Officer. 

After experiencing COVID restrictions for camps in 2020 and 2021, Camp Woodie experienced record sign-ups in 2022 and even had more than 600 campers on a waiting list. 

About Camp Woodie:

Camp Woodie was established by the South Carolina Waterfowl Association in 1995. The mission of Camp Woodie is to pass on our wildlife heritage to the next generation. Camp Woodie is achieving its mission with the help of expert staff and instructors who deliver hands-on, fun-filled education to the next generation of outdoorsmen and women.

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to enhance and perpetuate South Carolina’s wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation.

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Media Contact:

Maria Hackney

communications@scwa.org

(803) 825-8078