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Local hunters will have a chance to test their skills and support a good cause at the inaugural Hunters Hideout Turkey Rodeo and Banquet on Apr. 5. The event, organized by Hunter’s Hideout owner Alex Boggan, aims to raise funds for the summer day camp at Cornwallis 1828.

“It’s really for the summer camp,” Boggan said. “We decided to sponsor 20 kids. So that’s what this event is for.”

The rodeo will be open to two-person hunting teams anywhere in the state. Each team will be assigned a unique identification number after paying the $100 entry fee, which includes lunch and two hats. Teams must hunt on April 5 and return their tagged turkey to the Butler County Fairgrounds for weigh-in between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. The scoring system factors in spur length, beard length and overall weight.

Prizes include two 20-gauge shotguns and cash for first place, cash prizes for second and third place and two Canyon coolers for the largest double-bearded turkey.

The Turkey Rodeo Banquet follows the weigh-in, with doors opening at 5 p.m. The evening will feature live and silent auctions, raffles, food, and music. 

“It’s casual dress, just a good time for everyone,” Boggan said. “Anyone who participated in the hunt automatically gets a ticket to the banquet, but tickets will also be available at the door.”

Raffle prizes will include hunting accessories, guns, hats and other outdoor-themed items.

Funds raised from the event will support the Cornwallis 1828 Summer Camp, held at the historic Peter Newport Bragg Homestead throughout June. The day camp will run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering hands-on activities for students entering third grade to students recently finishing fourth grade.

“It’s a day camp that lasts a week. There will be four sessions, one every week of June,” said Cornwallis 1828 owner Demp Bell. “The cost of the camp will cover all needed materials as well as lunch each day.”

The program will immerse students in nature and history, featuring activities such as nature trail hikes, creek exploration, archery, basket weaving and flint knapping. 

“We’ll do a little bit of everything,” Bell said. “Nature trails, exploring the creek, bows and arrows, and a lot of survival-type skills like weaving baskets out of tree bark and flint knapping. We’ll also go into a lot of Black Belt living history like DeSoto, Andrew Jackson and Red Eagle.”

Applications for camp sponsorships are available at local schools and Hunter’s Hideout. Selection is not first-come, first-served, but instead based on a random draw to ensure fairness.

For more information on the summer camp, visit historicalCornwallis.com.