Registration deadlines for professional-development courses approach.

Schools are on summer break, but educators and others who work with youth have a chance to continue their learning through wildlife-focused workshops that also fulfill mandates set forth by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.Project WILD aims to provide a wildlife-based conservation education that fosters responsible action. It's one of the most widely used conservation and environmental education programs among educators, and the activities easily can be incorporated into almost any classroom curriculum.Theresa Alberici coordinates the program in Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Bureau of Information and Education. She works closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Education as well as conservation and environmental education organizations throughout the state and the country. Her dedication to wildlife and environmental awareness, along with her talents in creating curricula and ability to work with educators have earned her recognition from the state Department of Education and Pennsylvania's conservation education community."Educators leave Project WILD with a renewed appreciation of wildlife and are excited about how they're going to share what they've learned with their students," Alberici said. "This year, wildlife agencies nationwide celebrated 1 million educators 'Gone WILD.' More than 1 million educators have been trained in the program since Project WILD originated in 1983."Project WILD isn't about teaching kids what to think about wildlife; it's about teaching kids how to think about wildlife and giving them the skills they need to become responsibly active citizens who recognize the importance of wildlife and the environment."Those who are looking for more information on Project WILD workshops offered this year can visit the homepage of the Game Commission's website,

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/, and click on 2013 Teacher Workshops.**********Basic kayaking courses will be held during June and July at Tuscarora State Park, Barnesville, with all equipment provided if needed. Maximum weight capacity is 275 pounds, and preregistration is required either in person at the park office or by calling (570) 467-2506.Classes and times are: Friday, June 21, 5 p.m.; Saturday, June 22, 1 p.m.; Tuesday, July 2, 5 p.m.; Thursday, July 4, 10 a.m.; Friday, July 5, 5 pm.; and Saturday, July 13, 1 p.m.**********Sunday's edition of "Experience The Outdoors," hosted by award-winning Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association member Doyle Dietz, at 7 a.m. on 1410-AM WLSH, at 9:30 a.m. on Magic 105.5-FM and on the Web at

http://www.wmgh.com/ by clicking the link to the program, features "Inner-Loc Out There" outdoors television program host Corey Brossman.**********Every Sunday during June, a free introductory course to fly fishing is being sponsored by the Federation of Fly Fishers at Cabela's Hamburg location. There are two sessions to the course, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with "Introduction to Fly Fishing" and concluding at 2:30 p.m. with "Introduction to Fly Casting," and participants must pre-register by calling the Cabela's Fly Shop at 610-929-7000.**********This year's Lake Ontario Counties Summer Derby is underway through Sunday, July 28, and charter captains enter their boats in the tournament in order that clients are eligible for the cash prizes that are awarded for the largest daily fish species and the overall champion of each species.There is a total payout of $18,550 in cash for this year's LOC Summer Derby, with a grand prize of $10,000 for the largest salmon and has four divisions for salmon, lake trout, rainbow/steelhead and brown trout. Cash prizes for each division are: first place, $1,000; second place, $400; third place, $300; fourth place, $200; fifth place, $100; sixth-10thplace, $75; 11th-15th place, $50; and 16th-20th place, $25.**********A simulated hunting 3D course is open daily through October 12 from dawn to dusk at Bears Head Archery, Delano, off I-81 exit 134. Sundays, the course is closed from 1-4 p.m. for trap. For information, email

docblazer@verizon.net.