Thanks to the partnership between the Weatherby Foundation International and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF), outdoor expositions held across the country designed to introduce youth and families to shooting sports have continued their success in 2013. These efforts are part of the group’s “Outdoor Exposition and Hunter Mentor Program.”
The partnership has enabled both organizations to provide more effective financial assistance and logistic support for organizations such as state wildlife agencies to host events aimed at introducing shooting sports, archery, fishing and a host of other hands-on outdoor activities to youth and their families.
In 2013 Outdoor Exposition and Hunter Mentor Program has awarded funds to entities in 14 states that will serve in excess of 200,000 participants. USSAF has also provided staffing, equipment, and essential recruiting materials for each of the awarded sites.
“The partnership between the two organizations is a strong strategic fit using the respective strength of the USSAF Trailblazer Adventure Program personnel and the financial stability of the Weatherby Foundation,” said Nick Pinizzotto, USSAF president and CEO. “By continuing to work together, we see great growth in the program for the future.
Since the 1990’s, the Weatherby International youth initiative has provided funding and expertise in conjunction with Outdoor Expos held in numerous states. These events have been and continue to be facilitated by state game departments.
The Weatherby partnership fits well with the USSAF’s Trailblazer Adventure Program, designed to introduce youth and their families to an outdoor lifestyle through a series of one day, hands-on events. These events involve target shooting and firearm safety, archery, fishing, and numerous other conservation activities. They are held in conjunction with youth serving agencies such as the Boys Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA’s, American Heritage Girls and other groups. In 2013, Trailblazer is scheduled to host more than 150 events with 215,000 participants.
The joint venture has proven to be a solid step in to building the next generation of shooters, hunters, and anglers.
For more information on the Weatherby/USSAF partnership, go to www.trailblazeradventure.org.