As Spring rolls in, so does the start of the Trailblazer Adventure Program’s season and the beginning of a partnership to introduce young women to outdoor sports and our hunting heritage.
The Trailblazer Adventure Program, a youth program of the U.S Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) designed to introduce youth and families to the outdoors, and the American Heritage Girls (AHG), a Christ centered scouting organization for girls based in Cincinnati, signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding Trailblazer in 2012. As part of the Memorandum, AHG troops would host their own Trailblazer Adventure Days to introduce AHG troops and their families to our hunting heritage.
Among the first programs held this Trailblazer season were those of American Heritage Girls Troop 0044 from Batesburg, SC and Troop 0055 from Nashville, TN. In total, over 200 AHG participants and families were able to experience firsthand the basics of America’s long standing hunting and conservation traditions.
Participants from Nashville and Batesburg gathered to participate in a day specifically aimed to place a bow, fishing pole and BB gun in the hands of all involved. Participants at the Nashville event were also introduced to the long time tradition of trapping, with a local trapper present with pelts and trapping demonstrations. Participants were excited with the day’s events.
“I can’t wait until next year’s program!” said Rosie Husbands, SC Troop 0044 Troop Leader, before the Trailblazer Adventure Day had even come to an end.
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding, the Trailblazer Adventure Program is in the process of developing an age appropriate shooting sports badge for AHG troops. Trailblazer staff plans to have the badge completed within a year for AHG members to implement the badge immediately into their program to introduce girls to the shooting sports world.
With two great programs already at an end, the Trailblazer Adventure Program is looking forward to upcoming events with AHG troops in Tennessee, Florida and Illinois.
It is not too late to host your own Trailblazer Adventure Program in 2013. For more information about the program visit www.trailblazeradventure.org. To schedule a Trailblazer Adventure Day, please call Trailblazer staff at (614)888-4868 or email at [email protected]