2024 Scholarship Program

Each year Bent Conservation District offers scholarships to area
graduating seniors. The scholarships are to recognize outstanding
student leadership, community service, and to promote higher
education in agriculture related fields of study. All high school seniors
who reside within the Bent Conservation District and plan to pursue a
career in an agriculture related field are eligible and encouraged to apply.

For 2024, three Seniors met the criteria and were awarded scholarships:

Blake Elam, son of Brandon Elam and Ashley Grasser, a McClave High School Graduate. He plans to pursue a journalism degree.

Erin Tempel, daughter of Curtis and Cathy Tempel, a Lamar High School Graduate. She plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science.

Karson Roesch, son of Kerry and Becky Roesch, a McClave High School Graduate. He plans to pursue a degree in Agriculture Business.

Congratulations and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

Blake Elam

Erin Tempel

Karson Roesch

National Stewardship Week-
April 28th thru May 5th 2024

Bent Conservation District celebrated National Stewardship Week by going to the local elementary school classrooms. First grade students from McClave Elementary and Kindergarten students from Las Animas Elementary schools listened to a story about the life cycle of a seed. The students were then given pots, soil and seeds to plant and watch grow into flowers. Students were also able to "dig" into a special treat of dirt and worms (chocolate sandwich cookies, chocolate pudding and gummy worms, that is).

Pictured below: Kindergarten classes from Las Animas Elementary School.

Pictured below: 1st Grade class from McClave Elementary School.

Camp Rocky 2023

Enjoying the paddle boat on the little pond at camp.

Every year the board supports and promotes area youth to attend Camp Rocky. Bent CD awards Camp Rocky Scholarships in May/June and the camp is held in July. This year's dates were July 9-14th 2023.

Campers get to enjoy 5 nights of action packed fun and learning. Campers are able to choose one of four natural resource groups that they would like to study: Soil and Water Science, Rangeland Management, Fish and Wildlife Science and Forestry Management. The camp is located in Divide, CO.

The district sent one returning individual to Camp Rocky, Blake Elam. He enjoyed his week learning about conservation and participated in various activities. He chose range management as he enjoyed it so much the previous year. The camp had over 30 participants from all over the state. Blake attended the board meeting in August to personally thank the board for the opportunity to attend Camp Rocky. It opened his eyes to possible careers and lasting friendships. Please be on the lookout for next years dates and registration. The district would love to send more kids to this great camp!