Thank goodness this scenario unfolded not in the inner city of gomer gangwars, but rather, in the great spirit of the wild adventure zone beyond the pavement. Gang colors of the wild are khaki, camouflage and rugged,hunting outdoor wear. Genuine all American, workin hard, playin hard, ridge runnin, swamp sloppin, tangle-cruisin, puckerbrush blastin, sod-buster fashion gear for warriors. Hand held weapons of choice were not of the destructive nature, but joyfully wielded shovels, hoes, rakes and tree spiking spears as tools of mass "construction". The intense look on their faces were appearances of joyful, dedicated anticipation. These kids, like all our Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids graduates and their army of positive pressured peers, were

	"This activity is organized by us hunters because, as usual, hunters have always cared more about the environment!"

Celebrating nature's cycle number one, springtime, the season of renewal. An instinctual throbtime for plunging seedlings, fist first, deep into rich, vibrant, heartland terra firma. Then we stand back, snort the bold olfactory alert, feel the pulse of the good earth, and watch em grow. Kids and trees. Putting back more than we take out! That's how ya do that! Can you take me high enuf?

It was our annual Hunka Hunka Burning Nuge tree planting party and a genuine young'un riot always breaks out. I felt compelled to intercede on behalf of goodwill and harmony. There was just too much fun goin down. If someone didn't organize these young tree planters and harness their stupefying energy and enthusiasm, we could end up in a fulltilt turfwar!

We regrouped and designated a gridwork of team quadrants for row after row of various pines, a few apple trees, and a multitude of Autumn olive plants to create edge habitat and windbreaks for wildlife cover and soil benefits. We cranked heavy metal toolage aggressively into the beckoning, moist,- spring soil, shoved the seedlings in deep, added a small fertilizer tablet, covered the roots with loose dirt and then added a generous sloosh of water. Throughout the festivities, extra added attractions increased the sensual dynamo hummage. Overhead soared an aerial display of acrobatic, squawking crows, sandhill cranes, ducks, geese, twittering songbirds of every description and the occasional distant whir of small aircraft. A real treat occurred when the airwaves brought us the boisterous double live Gonzo gobble of his majesty sir ThunderBird McTurk, as his sexy, turkey funnytalk reverberated beyond the eexpansive glacial cut ridgeline across the marsh. The big sun bore down out of the clear blue sky and drenched the tribe of new conservationists in a body and soul warming glow. The good Lord was looking out for his caretakers. A midmorning snack break of Vernors ginger ale and venison pizza recharged our bloodbrother batteries. Then we got back at it, renewed like the ground we invested in.

This activity is organized by us hunters, because, as usual, hunters have always cared more about the environment. It is the always exploratory, adventurous outdoorsmen who eyeball the condition of the wild, hands-on, and respond to these stimulating eyewitness observations. We have millions of volunteer planted trees and gazillions of acres of prime, thriving habitat to prove it. The anti-hunters and-so called "an 1 rights" liars: zero.

These kids learned more about man's resource stewardship and hands-on environmental responsibilities, to better know how we effect the quality of our air, soil, and water, than anything they have ever learned at school.'Fortunately, there are a few progressive teachers out there who truly understand this exciting outdoor arena of nature's life and death lessons. It is definitely here where the rudiments of life's basic values can best be taught to young, impressionable minds. Great visionaries like Kathleen McComsey, 5th grade teacher at the Fleming Elementary School in Detroit. Her spirited, good looking tribe of kids took to the great outdoors as if they were meant to be there. Because THEY WERE!! Something to think about.

Every spring, the hundreds of boys and girls from 5 to 16 years of age, get very, very excited about hitting the woods and fields with their oll uncle Ted, just to plant trees, run a bit amok and breathe in the fresh clean air in the great outdoors. We also construct and erect wood duck houses, clean up debris from the outback, create brushpile escape habitat, and overall, jump into the wild head first. Ma Nature is this gangs den mother. Everybody's hands and faces get dirty with earthtones. Clothing gets soiled and shoes get wet and mucky. The Johhny Applessed with the most gunk under their fingernails wins! The sparkle in their faces is indicative of how deeply they believe in what we we do. There are more smiles per mile than anything I have ever witnessed. This is how we get high on reality and nature's own stimuli. And the whole gitdown is legal and good for you. Can you believe it?

	To Donate: To make a tax deductible donation to the non-profit 501c3 TED NUGENT KAMP FOR KIDS, make a check payable to, TNKFK and send it to: TNKFK 4133 W. Michigan Ave Jackson, MI 49202 The kids thank you with all their muddy "Spirit of the Wild" hearts and souls.

Do everything you can to get a child outdoors to feel this very powerful connection with nature. They WILL be moved. Earth "day" is for goofballs. An earth "life" is for thinking, caring, "doing" caretaker warriors. Get involved. Introduce a kid to the outdoor touch, encouraging them to be an asset to a quality of life, that nature will nurture. Hunting, fishing, treeplanting, birdwatching, anything that teaches the truth about nature will do it. The Nugent tribe has been doing it every spring for nearly 30 years, and I'm just a guitar player. What's your excuse? When you plant a tree into the earth with a kid taking part, you actually plant that spirit deep inside that kid to expand into all the other kid's lives around them. Ecologically sound botanical stewardship peer pressure deluxe. DO IT!

We wish to thank Queen of the Forest Kathleen McComsey and all the kids, the generous donations of WWBR radio in Troy, Gander Mountain and Browning sporting goods, Dammons Hardware stores, Ziebart Tidy Care, Toms Lanscaping and Nursery in Troy, Quality farm and Fleet, the Jackson and Macomb county soil & Conservation Districts, Ted Nugent United Sportsmen of America and our Kamp for Kids, along with all the volunteers who make this awesome event such a wonderful success. Godbless the dirt warriors and Godbless the kids. Godbless the great Spirit of the Wild. I take my kids hunting so I don't have to hunt for my kids!