NWTF At-A-Glance: Education, Outreach and Community Programs
The NWTF's education and outreach programs are directed at providing fun for the entire family and educating them about the importance of conservation and hunting.
Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF
Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF provides all people with disabilities opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Through chapter events nationwide, participants can enjoy activites such as hunting, fishing and shooting. With more than 50 million people with disabilities in the U.S., the program fills a significant void. Through this program, chapters host numerous Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF events across North America involving individuals with disabilities. In addition to local chapter events, Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF also hosts an assortment of national events including:
- Does for Does pairs women with disabilities and women who are experienced guides for a weekend of hunting and educational activities.
- Ultimate Team-Ups team people with disabilities and non-disabled people for a weekend of hunting and educational activities.
- Ultimate Duos provide youth with disabilities and their families a chance to experience a variety of outdoor activities.
- Fishing Round-Ups provide participants with disabilities opportunities to enjoy a day of fishing.
- Fun & Learn Days introduce people with disabilities to a variety of outdoor activities in fun and easy ways.
- Special Events provide opportunities for groups of disabled and non-disabled participants to enjoy deep sea fishing, shooting, archery, photography, hunting and more!
- All Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF members receive a subscription to Wheelin' Sportsmen magazine . The publication provides a forum for readers to share ideas, tips and stories about the challenges and rewards of getting outside and enjoying opportunities most people take for granted.
JAKES/Xtreme JAKES
The NWTF's JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) program was developed in 1981, and is dedicated to teaching the principles of wildlife management and passing along the traditions of safe, ethical and responsible hunting. The program is designed for youth up to age 12.
The NWTF's Xtreme JAKES program was developed in 2002 for teens between the ages of 13 and 17. The program provides advanced outdoor opportunities and challenges more in line with older JAKES abilities and experiences.
- In 2007, local chapters conducted more than 1,000 JAKES/Xtreme JAKES events featuring hands on activities throughout North America.
- NWTF chapters have donated nearly 28,000 NWTF Education Boxes to schools across North America. Education boxes, which feature a variety of teaching tools, are supplied to schools at no cost by NWTF chapters and sponsors.
- Each JAKES/Xtreme JAKES member is eligible for a drawing to win a hunt of a lifetime on the legendary King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas.
- JAKES members across North America receive JAKES Magazine, which features fun and educational articles focused on items of interest to younger readers.
- Xtreme JAKES® Magazine is an interactive, online magazine just for teens who enjoy the outdoors and hunting. Members can submit profiles, stories, videos and photos for publication.
For more information about the JAKES/Xtreme JAKES program or to find an event near you, visit www.nwtf.org/jakes.
NWTF Academic Scholarship Program
The NWTF has made a commitment to America's young people through the NWTF Scholarship Fund. Each year, the NWTF presents a $10,000 national scholarship to a college-bound student as well as several $1,000 state/provincial academic scholarships and $250 local scholarships.
- Scholarships are awarded to young people who have demonstrated a commitment to conservation, academic excellence and building leadership skills. Applicants must be licensed hunters to be eligible.
- To date, the NWTF has awarded $2.7 million through the scholarship program. The program is just one way the NWTF can ensure we have the dedicated conservationists needed for the future.
- Each year, nearly $500,000 is available in scholarships to JAKES/Xtreme JAKES members.
In addition to the academic scholarship program, the NWTF supports education through the following programs:
- Future Farmers of America (FFA) - Each year, the NWTF partners with the FFA to provide one $5,000 scholarship to a student pursuing a wildlife management or agricultural degree. The scholarship fund is administered through the National Future Farmers of America Foundation. Visit www.nwtf.org.
- 4-H Shooting Sports Program - The NWTF surpassed its 10-year, $1 million commitment to the 4-H Shooting Sports Program within five years. Since then, the NWTF has continued supporting the program to ensure youth participating in shooting can learn about shooting sports in an atmosphere that fosters development.
- National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) - NASP is designed to partner with a state's Department of Education and its Fish and Wildlife agency to offer an Olympic-style target archery program to physical education students from 4th through 12th grades as part of school curriculums.
Women in the Outdoors
Women in the Outdoors® provides hands-on outdoor education
for women ages 14 and up through outdoor learning events conducted
throughout the United States and Canada. These events allow women
to try activities from hunting and
fishing to hiking and birdwatching
and teach the importance of
wildlife management and helping
uphold the hunting tradition.
- Each participant of an event becomes a member of the NWTF's women's program. As part of their annual $25 membership, women receive the Women In The Outdoors magazine. This award-winning magazine is a quarterly publication that features informative articles about conservation and enjoying the outdoors.
For more information about the Women in the Outdoors program or to find an event near you, visit www.womenintheoutdoors.org.
Turkey Hunter's Care Program
The Turkey Hunter's Care program provides frozen domestic turkeys to families in need across North America to help complete the centerpiece of a traditional holiday dinner.
- Local NWTF chapter volunteers team up with church ministries, food pantries, children's organizations, homeless shelters, National Guard units and other civic service organizations in donating turkeys for a holiday meal.
- In 2007, 359 local NWTF chapters in 44 states and two Canadian provinces donated more than 104,088 meals to families in need of a hot holiday feast. Since the program's inception, a total of 71,736 turkeys, or 430,416 meals, have been donated.
- The NWTF makes certificates available on-line that can be presented to the individual family or organization that receives the turkeys. In addition, NWTF chapters can order specially made Turkey Hunters Care plastic bags, at no cost, which will be distributed with the turkeys.
Families Afield
The NWTF has led the charge in promoting youth hunting opportunities. Through the Families Afield program, a partnership of the NWTF, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, data from the Youth Hunting Report is used to help remove youth hunting barriers across the nation. The Youth Hunting Report also shows youth hunters are among the safest hunters in the woods when accompanied by an adult.
To date, 27 states have approved Families Afield legislation and regulations. Several of those states already have measured the program's performance and report a significant climb in the number of new hunters. Data available from the states reveal that apprentice hunting license programs have brought nearly 131,000 new hunters to the field.
To learn more about the Families Afield program or to view a list of states already participating, visit www.familiesafield.org.
