Wichita, KS, December 9, 2019. Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors was awarded $2,500.00 in a grant from the Whitetails Unlimited. These funds will be used to support the new Shooting Sports Outreach Program to engage participants in high school shooting sports in hunting activities.
Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors has been engaged in recruiting mentors for at-risk youth since it’s beginnings in 2002. This new effort ties into the National R3 Plan, with efforts to encourage high school shooting sports athletes to go hunting. After a trial run in the fall of 2018, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors hired a Director of Field Operations to take on the task state-wide in Kansas. Results for the fall hunting season have been exceptional, according to Mike Christensen, President. “Just this fall, we’ve had over 150 youth on a wide variety of hunting experiences, ranging from dove hunts, deer hunts, waterfowl hunts and pheasant hunts. And we’re just getting started!” stated Christensen. “Making a difference in the recruitment, retention and reactivation of hunters requires partnership among all of the stakeholders if we’re going to move the needle. We’re honored to have the support of Whitetails Unlimited as we work to build this effort on a bigger scale.”
Brittany Waldman, Director of Field Operations commented, “It is great to see these young hunters eager to learn about the great outdoors and more importantly hunt. It has really inspired our mentors to go above and beyond to show them the ways.”
“The lack of hunting mentors is one of the largest hurdles that prevent individuals from entering the hunting world,” says WTU Program Services Director Russ Austad. “We love supporting organizations like Pass It On that strive to help individuals pursue their passion of the outdoors no matter what the obstacle.”
About Whitetails Unlimited:
Whitetails Unlimited is a national non-profit conservation organization, dedicated to conservation, education and the preservation of the hunting tradition. Thanks to more than 475 chapters, 113,000-plus members, chapter volunteers, and corporate sponsors, Whitetails Unlimited has earned the reputation of being the nation’s premier organization dedicating its resources to the betterment of the white-tailed deer and its environment. Whitetails Unlimited has expended more than $94 million on program services and activities.
About Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc.:To learn more about Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. please visit their website at http://www.outdoormentors.org
