A History of the Camp

Dr. John R. “Jack” Beck  Mr. Enoch S. “Inky” Moore

In the Fall of 1994, Dr. Jack Beck had an idea: “If there are camps for basketball and band, computers and ballet why not have a camp for coldwater conservation?”  He enlisted the aid of fellow Trout Unlimited member Enoch “Inky” Moore, who had experience in outdoor youth education.

  Within months, the camp began to take form.  The camp curriculum would consist of college-level material shaped for the camp setting, with each class building upon the framework established earlier in the week.  Classes would focus on both conservation and fly fishing.  The best and brightest students who were interested in these topics would then be chosen for the camp, which would be held at the Allenberry Resort.

  On June 25th, 1995, the first Rivers Conservation & Fly Fishing Youth Camp commenced.  Representatives from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited, and National Trout Unlimited were on hand to welcome the students, along with the entire staff of volunteers and the steering committee.  The camp was a success, and plans for the next year began immediately.

  The camp and the students have been fortunate to have such notable speakers, instructors, and staff throughout the years.  Jack passed away in 1997, as did Inky in 2000.  They were definitely the biggest champions of the camp, and their passion for young people, fly fishing, and conservation resounds as the camp continues.  For many years, the keynote speakers of the camp were renowned trout biologist Dr. Robert Behnke, and angling ambassador, the late Leon Chandler.  Dick Darr, Mike Klimkos, and Rod Cross have served as camp directors, and their work was supported by numerous men and women on the board and in the periphery.

  In 2001, the camp was presented with the Trout Unlimited Conservationist of the Year Award in recognition of the impact on the lives of young men and women.  However, the bigger accolade comes from the fact that over a dozen other youth conservation and fly fishing camps have sprung up around the country – many following the structure put in place by the Pennsylvania camp.