Tristar Arms, Inc. Partners with Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors

Wichita, KS, March 3, 2021.  Pass It On - Outdoor is excited to announce TriStar Arms, Inc. has agreed to continue their strategic partner to help get more youth outdoors, hunting and fishing! TriStar Arms, Inc. is a primary importer of quality firearms in the hunting and shooting industry captivating the market with reliable products and exceptional customer service.

The Shooting Sports Outreach Program, launched by Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors in the fall of ’19, has demonstrated that student athletes participating in trap shooting programs are eager to get in the field and go hunting. Growing from 89 organized hunts in the ’19-’20 season to over 170 organized hunts in the ’20-’21 season, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors is working to expand the program beyond Kansas and Iowa. “The support from industry leaders, like Tristar Arms, is essential to our success. We are truly honored to have Tristar Arms on board as a sponsor.” stated Mike Christensen, President of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors. “We use Tristar shotguns for our shooting clinics and for those youth who need to borrow a gun for our hunts and they have performed flawlessly.”

Brittany French, Director of Field Operations commented, “Because of the generous support from our sponsors, we have been able to engage more shooting sports athletes, plan more hunts, network with more local conservation groups and pass on our hunting heritage. Every hunt we put together is bridging the gap between target shooters and the sport of hunting.”

“Hunting and Shooting Sports is in our DNA,” stated Gus Bader, President of Tristar Arms.  “Any time there is an opportunity to bridge that gap and provide an avenue for young people to get into the field, we want to be part of that.  The Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors program ensures that the next generation takes to the outdoors and keeps the hunting heritage alive.”

“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,” said Christensen. “We’re proud to have the support of Tristar Arms as we expand this effort to more states.”

About Tristar Arms, Inc.

TriStar Arms, Inc. is a primary importer of quality firearms in the hunting and shooting industry. TriStar captivates the market with reliable products and exceptional customer service. Our impressive five-year Warranty positions us at the front of the import market. With more than 40 years’ combined experience on its management team, TriStar is perfectly positioned to provide the nation with the best prices and highest value in the firearm industry. We welcome you to explore our wide range of recreational and hunting firearms to find the gun that has every quality you seek. You’ll save money and receive incredible value when you team up with TriStar Arms, Inc.

 

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

 

 

 

- 30 -

Scent Crusher to Sponsor Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors

Wichita, KS, February 18, 2021.  Pass It On - Outdoor is excited to announce that Scent Crusher has stepped up as a strategic partner to help get more youth outdoors, hunting and fishing! Scent Crusher products offer an advanced way to clean using nature’s most powerful oxidizers to kill odors caused by bacteria and contaminants.

The Shooting Sports Outreach Program, launched by Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors in the fall of ’19, has demonstrated that student athletes participating in trap shooting programs are eager to get in the field and go hunting. Growing from 89 organized hunts in the ’19-’20 season to over 170 organized hunts in the ’20-’21 season, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors is working to expand the program beyond Kansas and Iowa. “The support from industry leaders, like Scent Crusher, is essential to our success. We are truly honored to have Scent Crusher on board as a sponsor.” stated Mike Christensen, President of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors. “We look forward to helping our young hunters learn how Scent Crusher products can help them be more successful in the field.”

Brittany French, Director of Field Operations commented, “Because of the generous support from our sponsors, we have been able to engage more shooting sports athletes, plan more hunts, network with more local conservation groups and pass on our hunting heritage. Every hunt we put together is bridging the gap between target shooters and the sport of hunting.”

 “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,” said Christensen. “We’re proud to have the support of Scent Crusher as we expand this effort to more states.”

About SCENT Crusher

Scent Crusher products offer an advanced way to clean using nature’s most powerful oxidizers to kill odors caused by bacteria and contaminants. Scent Crusher products feature their Ozone Activated Technology which effectively eliminates all odors on your gear. Sweat, soaps, food, perfume – you name it, Scent Crusher kills it. Their Ozone

Activated Technology kills organisms including bacteria, and virus and is 100% chemical-free, leaving no scent, chemical residue or harmful byproducts.

 

To learn more about Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc. please visit their website at http://www.outdoormentors.org

 

 

 

- 30 -

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors and Outdoor Heritage Education Center sign MOU to get more youth outdoors

OHEC will work with PIO to expand Shooting Sports Outreach Program in Wisconsin.

Wichita, KS, February 24, 2021.  The Outdoor Heritage Education Center, a charitable non-profit organization based in Hazel Green, WI and Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors will be working together to expand the rapidly growing Shooting Sports Outreach Program to Wisconsin.

“The US Clay Target League and the Scholastic Clay Target Program are rapidly growing, currently engaging over 6,000 youth in shooting sports in WI. Our Shooting Sports Outreach Program works to bridge the gap between the shooting sports and hunting,” stated Brittany French, Director of Field Operations for Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors. “We’ve proven that our model works in Kansas, we’ve had a successful pilot program in Iowa and we’re ready to expand to other states that have vibrant youth shooting sports programs.”

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors launched it’s Shooting Sports Outreach Program in Kansas in 2019, coordinating 89 hunts for over 220 youth. In the 2020 hunting season, over 180 hunts have been hosted, engaging over 500 youth, with turkey season coming up. “We want to see these student athletes hunt a variety of species, engaging them and their families with dove, deer, duck, geese, upland, small game and turkey hunts,” said French. “We feel that it’s critical that today’s youth be given multiple opportunities to hunt, hopefully making them life-long hunters and conservationists.”

“Our first task will be to raise the funds we need to hire a full-time Program Coordinator in WI and OHEC as usual was first to pledge support,” indicated Mike Christensen, President of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors. “This position is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the hunt, from arranging access to properties to hunt, to recruiting the youth hunters and mentors/volunteers who will share their outdoor expertise with the new hunters.”

OHEC support helps PIO begin to build a Shooting Sports Outreach Program in WI that will help ensure that the Wisconsin outdoor heritage is successfully passed along to the next generation.

About Outdoor Heritage Education Center
OHEC was founded in 1998 to connect people and resources. OHEC volunteers and donors have helped launch clay target teams in a number of Wisconsin schools. OHEC is a major influence in recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) efforts that fit will its mission to help pass along our outdoor heritage to future generations who were losing touch with the natural world, and to increase the public's understanding, appreciation and sense of stewardship for natural resources and related activities like fishing, hunting and other shooting sports.

 

About Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc. is a Wichita, Kansas-based national organization dedicated to providing children with mentors who will share with them the experiences of traditional outdoor activities. The heart of the group's mission is to give children opportunities to connect with nature that they more than likely won't have without a mentor showing them the way. Partnering with organizations with like-minded conservation and youth participation efforts like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pheasants Forever, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Delta Waterfowl, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation, among others, volunteers with a passion for the outdoors can give a child the chance to go fish, hunt, or simply spend time in the fields with a caring adult. For more information about Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, please visit http://www.outdoormentors.org.

 

 

- 30 -

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Awards Grant to Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors

Wichita, KS, July 22, 2020.  Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors was awarded $10,000.00 in a grant from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.  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. RMEF was one of the first to step up and help launch the outdoor mentoring efforts of Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors in 2002. In the fall of 2019, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors launched their Shooting Sports Outreach Program, encouraging high school and college trap shooting athletes to engage in hunting. “We were able to organize 89 different hunts, engaging over 220 youth shooting athletes from 44 different Kansas schools,” stated Mike Christensen, President of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors. “With the support of organizations like RMEF, organizations that are leading the R3 effort nationwide, we are looking forward to piloting this same program in Iowa this coming fall.”

Brittany Waldman, Director of Field Operations commented, “between the Scholastic Clay Target Program and the National High School Clay Target League, there are more than 40,000 high school student-athletes participating in trap shooting nationwide. The Shooting Sports Outreach Program aims to provide hunting and fishing opportunities to as many of these youth as possible. Almost all of these youths have taken hunter safety, and have learned one of the basic skills needed to hunt. Our goal is to increase their interest and motivation to hunt by providing as many different hunting opportunities as we possibly can.”

“Ensuring the future of our hunting heritage is core to our mission and vital to generating funding for ongoing and future conservation work,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “We are proud to support Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors and salute them for their dedication to engaging youth in hunting and shooting sports.”

“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,” said Christensen. “We’re proud to have the support of RMEF as we build this effort on a bigger scale.”

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded 36 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of nearly 235,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.6 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation™” at www.rmef.org, www.elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.

 

To learn more about Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc. please visit their website at http://www.outdoormentors.org

 

 

 

- 30 -

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc. Partners with Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Wichita, KS, July 14, 2020.  Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors announced today a partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to pilot a program to engage high school and college trap shooters in hunting activities. Based on the Shooting Sports Outreach Program that Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors launched in Kansas in 2019, the pilot program will engage student athletes from at least 15 different Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) teams, both college and high school, in dove, pheasant and waterfowl hunts.

 “In 2019, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors hosted 89 hunts involving over 220 youth from 44 different high schools across Kansas. We are looking forward to piloting this effort in Iowa this fall,” said Brittany Waldman, Director of Field Operations for Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors.

“We recently surveyed several hundred of our student athletes, their parents, and their coaches regarding current interest and past participation in hunting.  Even though 86% of our student athletes who responded indicated they come from a household that has hunted, only 53% of those surveyed have hunted themselves in the past year.  This leaves us with a significant opportunity to provide quality mentored experiences in hopes to pique their interest in giving hunting a try.  Even though we plan to pilot this effort with only a handful of our college and student athletes in 2020, our hope is to expand the program offerings across the state in subsequent years,” said Megan Wisecup, Iowa DNR Hunter Education Administrator. In Iowa, there are approximately 4,000 college and high school student athletes participating on SCTP trap teams. This partnership will focus on giving these student athletes opportunities to hunt that they might not otherwise experience.   

In Iowa, there are approximately 4,000 student athletes participating in SCTP. This partnership will focus on giving these student athletes opportunities to hunt that they might not otherwise experience.   

“Almost all of these youth have taken hunter safety, and have learned one of the basic skills needed to hunt,” Brittany said. “Our goal is to increase their interest and motivation to hunt by providing as many different hunting opportunities as we possibly can.”

Brittany further indicated that, “Our goals with this new effort are to 1) recruit new hunters by giving those who don’t currently hunt opportunities to pursue upland game, waterfowl, turkey and deer; 2) retain current hunters by giving those youth trap shooters and their parents who are currently hunters the opportunity to engage in more hunting activities; and 3) to reactivate parents and coaches who want to participate in these hunting activities. This model can be applied to numerous different cohorts in hopes to inspire others to have a passion for hunting and fishing.”

To accomplish this, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors and the IA DNR plan to partner with local chapters of NGO’s and private landowners to provide access and volunteers and mentors who assist with the events. IA DNR will be surveying the coaches, parents and student athletes to establish a baseline of hunting participation and interest over the coming months. Pre- and post-hunt surveys and follow-up surveys with be used to measure the impact of the program and to provide the data needed to adjust and improve the program going forward.

About Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors is a Wichita, Kansas-based national organization dedicated to providing children with mentors who will share with them the experiences of traditional outdoor activities. The heart of the group's mission is to give children opportunities to connect with nature that they more than likely won't have without a mentor showing them the way. For more information about Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, please visit http://www.outdoormentors.org. 

 

 

- 30 -

 

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc. Receives Grant From Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund

Wichita, KS, May 11, 2020.  Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors announced today that the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund will be making a donation to be used by Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors to further their Shooting Sports Outreach Program. Launched in Kansas in 2019, the Shooting Sports Outreach Program engages student-athletes involved in the shooting sports with hunting and fishing opportunities.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors will be able to expand our efforts to get more youth outdoors, hunting and fishing,” stated Mike Christensen, President of Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc. “We are humbled to have an organization like the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund lending their support to our efforts.”  

 “In 2019, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors hosted 89 hunts involving over 220 youth from 44 different high schools across Kansas. For the 2020 hunting seasons, our goal is to hire additional staff and expand into Iowa where we can ultimately serve more youth,” said Brittany Waldman, Director of Field Operations for Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors.

Between the Scholastic Clay Target Program and the National High School Clay Target League, there are more than 40,000 high school student-athletes participating in trap shooting nationwide. The Shooting Sports Outreach Program aims to provide hunting and fishing opportunities to as many of these youth as possible.

“Almost all of these youth have taken hunter safety, and have learned one of the basic skills needed to hunt,” Brittany said. “Our goal is to increase their interest and motivation to hunt by providing as many different hunting opportunities as we possibly can.”

Brittany further indicated that, “Our goals with this new effort are to 1) recruit new hunters by giving those who don’t currently hunt opportunities to pursue upland game, waterfowl, turkey and deer; 2) retain current hunters by giving those youth trap shooters and their parents who are currently hunters the opportunity to engage in more hunting activities; and 3) to reactivate parents and coaches who want to participate in these hunting activities. This model can be applied to numerous different cohorts in hopes to inspire others to have a passion for hunting and fishing.”

To accomplish this, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors partners with local chapters of NGO’s, the state fish and wildlife agency and private landowners to provide access and volunteers and mentors who assist with the events. 

About Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s Outdoor Fund

Under the visionary leadership of founder Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is leading North America’s largest conservation movement. Together with our partners in conservation, we’re positively shaping the future of the outdoors through donation, grant-making and advocacy.  As the premier outdoor and conservation company, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s supports initiatives inspiring everyone to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors.  The 501(c)3 Outdoor Fund raises funds to support conservation efforts by activating more than 200 million passionate sportsmen and women rounding up their purchases in Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores. 

About Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors is a Wichita, Kansas-based national organization dedicated to providing children with mentors who will share with them the experiences of traditional outdoor activities. The heart of the group's mission is to give children opportunities to connect with nature that they more than likely won't have without a mentor showing them the way. For more information about Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, please visit http://www.outdoormentors.org. 

 

 

- 30 -

Federal Ammunition® Sponsors Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors

Federal Ammunition ® renewed their sponsorship of the Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors program, giving more children the opportunity to experience the great outdoors.

Wichita, KS, April 15, 2020.  Federal Ammunition has renewed their sponsorship commitment to help expand and grow the Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors program that gives children the opportunity to experience the great outdoors.

“Federal Ammunition has long been a key partner of Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, helping us give youth with little or no connection to the outdoors the opportunity to hunt and fish,” stated Mike Christensen, Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors President. “As we expand our efforts to reach more youth through our Shooting Sports Outreach program, it is critical to our efforts that we get support from everyone in the outdoors to help make this happen.  Having Federal Ammunition as the Official Ammunition of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors greatly enhances our ability to get kids outdoors!”

Federal Ammunition’s VP of Marketing, Jason Nash said research by a number of organizations confirms new hunters and shooters are recruited by a mentor.

 “Having an experienced mentor to bring you along for the first time and show you the ropes is an extremely important piece to the puzzle in recruiting a new hunter,” Nash said. “As we continue as an industry to promote youth shooting sports programs to build a strong future, mentoring programs like Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors are critical to our success.

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors partners with state fish and wildlife agencies, conservation organizations and youth organizations to give at-risk children outdoor opportunities they would not have had otherwise.  “Too many children today never get the chance to experience the great outdoors we all know and love.  When you hear a youngster say they’ve never seen a cow or been on a dirt road, you know we must step up our efforts to get these children opportunities to get outdoors,” stated Christensen.

“The support we receive from Federal Ammunition enables us to continue our efforts to get more youth outdoors, hunting and fishing,” said Christensen. “The support of the outdoor industry is so important if we are to recruit, retain and reactivate more hunters and anglers. Federal Ammunition has been and continues to be a leader in this regard.”

About Federal Ammunition

Federal ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide or purchased online direct from Federal. For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.

 About Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc. is a Wichita, Kansas-based national organization dedicated to providing children with mentors who will share with them the experiences of traditional outdoor activities. The heart of the group's mission is to give children opportunities to connect with nature that they more than likely won't have without a mentor showing them the way. Partnering with organizations with like-minded conservation and youth participation efforts like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pheasants Forever, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Delta Waterfowl, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation, among others, volunteers with a passion for the outdoors can give a child the chance to go fish, hunt, or simply spend time in the fields with a caring adult. For more information about Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, please visit http://www.outdoormentors.org.

 

 

- 30 -

 

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Awards Grant to Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors

Wichita, KS, December 9, 2019.  Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors was awarded $10,000.00 in a grant from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.  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. RMEF was one of the first to step up and help launch the outdoor mentoring efforts of Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors 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. “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.

Brittany Waldman, Director of Field Operations commented, “It has been incredibly rewarding working with these high school shooting athletes and coaches. They have shown excitement and passion for hunting. With the help of local conservation groups, we have been able to cultivate some great fellowship amongst the young hunters.”

Blake Henning, RMEF Chief Conservation Officer stated, “Mentoring new hunters is one of RMEF’s highest priorities today so we are very pleased to continue our support for the Outdoor Mentors program and their outstanding work.”

“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,” said Christensen. “We’re proud to have the support of RMEF as we build this effort on a bigger scale.”

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded 35 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of nearly 235,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.6 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation™” at www.rmef.org, www.elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.

Whitetails Unlimited Awards Grant to Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors

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

 

 

 

- 30 -