Author: South Carolina Waterfowl Association

John Higgins returns to Camp Woodie for 2022

Camp Woodie is excited to welcome John Higgins, the owner of CSM Clay Target Shooting Academy, back to Camp Woodie for the summer of 2022. Last year, John spent two days each week out at camp assisting campers with their shooting education. We are pleased to have him returning this summer.

“The Coordinated Shooting Method (CSM) is based on the concept of student-centered learning. It offers a realistic, relevant, appropriate, and modern approach to shotgun shooting education. We aim to provide safe, positive, fun-filled experiences for all ages of participants and to try to make the connection between creativity and development.

One of the benefits of the CSM Academy Camp Woodie program is its ability to connect the student with the power and joy of learning. It is about coaching in a way that develops individual character, confidence, self-reliance, and belief in his or her own competitiveness. We encourage all of our students to become active participants in their learning process because when athletes and coaches become learning partners a magical transformation takes place.

Transformational learning is deep, profound, and lasting. Oftentimes, what is changed or transformed are the methodologies, unchallenged assumptions, and habits that have never before been questioned. Once the learning partnership takes place, and young athletes actively take part in the learning process, they begin to see what they can accomplish on their own. When this happens, there is no turning back! They are on a fast track to success!

This is particularly relevant today, with shotgun sports becoming more popular than ever before with middle and high school students. This growth emphasizes the need for high-quality educational programs that provide athletes with the knowledge, physical skills, and attitudes that are necessary to thoroughly enjoy shooting and to develop a lifelong love of the sport. Now is the time to embrace a modern, new approach to the instructional paradigm, to start making positive changes that will enhance performance and highlight the many benefits that shotgun shooting sports can provide.” (John Higgins)

Camp Woodie breaks ground and attendance record

Camp Woodie found great success this summer, hosting 1,125 campers throughout the 11-week duration of summer camp. This new record attendance signifies development and growth that Camp Woodie’s staff and supporters worked so hard for this summer. Over 260 campers received their hunter’s safety certification, while 102 campers completed the boater’s education course.

Camp Woodie staff looked to Camp Director, Keller Kissam, Jr. and Assistant Camp Director, Cortlyn Maner for leadership this summer. Keller managed the staff through another strong summer with the help of his dynamic assistant director. Although this was her first year in an administrative role at camp, Cortlyn has been a vital part of Camp Woodie since her first year as a camper at 8 years old.

Through her 14 summers spent at Camp Woodie as a camper, CIT, counselor, photographer and now assistant director, Cortlyn has developed a connection with camp that few can match. Cortlyn had this to say about the summer of 2018:

“Camp has always had a special place in my heart, and this summer, I was able to see it from a different perspective. As the assistant director, I was able to share my passion with campers and staff, while growing as a person. I’m happy to have been fortunate enough to be a part of another record-breaking summer, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

The Wildlife Education Center will boast a brand new entrance next summer, as well as a new lodging building, which will allow Camp Woodie to accommodate 60 more campers than summers past. Camp staff members are working hard to develop new, captivating activities for next summer to keep Camp Woodie’s quality at an all-time high.

Camp Director, Keller Kissam stated, “With all of this new growth, we have the potential to expand our current activities, as well as add new ones. Each time campers return to camp, they should have a new experience compared to the previous year. We’re excited for so many opportunities to grow, and we hope that next year will be even better than before. We couldn’t do it without everyone who has contributed to camp in years past.”

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