Twenty students from across Pennsylvania practiced canoe safety on the waters of Beltzville Lake on Thursday afternoon as part of a weeklong environmental camp.

The camp, Exploring Careers Outdoors, started Sunday at Kirby Episcopal House near Nescopeck State Park, just south of Wilkes-Barre."We've been going to different places all week doing different activities basically giving students the opportunity to get information on environmental careers they may want to pursue and have a little fun along the way," said Diane Madl, environmental education specialist at Nescopeck State Park.High school students must be entering 10th grade through 12th grade and have a C average or better to attend. The camp is free of charge with funding provided by DCNR.A committee reviews students' applications, 500-word essays and recommendations before deciding whether they make the cut.DCNR received 85 applications in 2015 and selected the top 10 boys and the top 10 girls."I've always had a love for the outdoors and I'm going to college next year so I thought this camp would be a great way for me to see what is out there for me," said Jasmine Carlson, 17, of Ridgeway. "I'd like to do something with the Game Commission. Getting to know other students from around the state and experience what we have, this camp has really opened me up as a person."Other than Thursday's canoeing, students also kayaked at Nescopeck, went whitewater rafting and visited the Carbon County Environmental Education Center this week.For Carlson and Connor McDonough, 18, of Adams County, the best part of the week has been rafting."It was a real rush," said McDonough, who wants to become a Wildlife Conservation Officer.On Thursday, students heard from Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Fish and Boat Commission officials on their job description and also how to stay safe while out on the canoe."We're kind of a jack of all trades," said Dave Roberts, DCNR ranger supervisor at Beltzville. "After this, I'm going to do an investigation on an assault that occurred. We go from customer service to law enforcement to educators, all in a day's work."The camp is in its 13th year, according to DCNR Acting Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn."It's been a great learning experience," said Nate Harner, 17, of Lebanon County."I'm not exactly sure what I want to do for a career yet, but I'm hoping it involved law enforcement. After talking with some folks in that field, I have a better idea of what I need to do to get there."The camp continues Friday with a bike ride from the Black Diamond Trail near White Haven to Jim Thorpe.After the camp, attendees will have a chance to seek internships, job shadowing and other career-related opportunities through the camp's mentor program.