The next Monroe County Youth Field Day will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6. In order for it to be as successful as others in the past, it needs the support from the community.

Last year's event had 197 participating children. Since 1994, over 3,500 youngsters have participated.Youth Field Day is supported by the Monroe County Federation of Sportsmen Clubs in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen Clubs, which represents about 100,000 sportsmen and conservationists, as well as the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. It is an IRS-approved 501(c) 3 organization.The field day program is designed to provide a daylong exciting and educational format for children 8 to 14. In addition to the educational component, a free lunch is provided to all attending children, as well as their parents and siblings, the presenters and volunteers. Each child also receives a free T-shirt, logo cap and a bag filled with donated information and gifts. All this is made possible with donations received from local, regional and nationally-based businesses, governmental agencies, as well as private contributions and raffles.Each child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian while attending the event.Various stations are set up to provide conservation information or to interactive educational activities such as boat and water safety; dog handling; trapping and fur taking; the art and techniques of fishing, taxidermy, constructing bird boxes or feeders, firearm safety, shooting, archery, wildlife art drawing; and a fun run obstacle and game course.All programs are presented by volunteer experts or professionals.The continued success of this program is a result of the quality and safety of programs offered by a myriad of concerned sportsmen and sportswomen. Programs expose children to outdoor opportunities at a young age and may well translate into a life-long activity.Organizers anticipate engaging about 225 participants and seek support with a contribution of merchandise and/or a monetary donation. If you wish to contribute merchandise for free distribution to the attending children or make a monetary donation, send it to Monroe County Youth Field Day, direct-ship to MCYFD, Inc. c/o Michael Schwartz, 112 Mertz Road, Box 268, Kresgeville, PA 18333. Each contributor will be recognized at the event.The public is invited to visit and actively participate in the program.For more information on how to contribute or to become an event sponsor call 610-681-6184 or email

MSchwartz@mcyfd.org, or visit mcyfd.org.