Gander Mountain Partners with USSAF for Mentoring Program

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation proudly partnered with the Gander Mountain Company to host three Trailmaster Mentoring Days in Fall 2006.

The one-of-a-kind opportunities allowed families in Lakeville, Minnesota; Washington, Pennsylvania; and Houston, Texas, many of which had been introduced to outdoor sports during Trailblazer Adventure Days, to work with sportsman-mentors, called Trail Guides. Trail Guides helped families explore the finer points of outdoor pursuits and enroll in outdoor education programs.

The events were held at Gander Mountain retail stores, allowing the participants to investigate a wide range of equipment options. Store managers were excited to help the families and educate them about gear available at their stores.

Trailblazer Adventure Days are single-day programs that serve as all-around introductions to the thrill of outdoor sports and the importance of conservation. The Adventure Days feature a variety of activities, demonstrations and orientation sessions designed to show children and their parents what the outdoor lifestyle is about.

Trailblazer Adventure Day participants are invited to register for the Trailmaster Program to continue learning about the outdoor lifestyle under the guidance of sportsman mentors. Those who complete the mentoring program will be eligible for the Trailmaster Award patch, the highest recognition within the Trailblazer Adventure Program.

In 2006, Trailblazer introduced more than 141,000 young people and families to the outdoor experience through Trailblazer Adventure Days and Trailmaster mentoring programs. Since its inception in 2001, the program has reached more than 366,000 participants!

The USSAF Trailblazer Adventure Program has been honored with the Take Pride in America® award by the U.S. Department of Interior for its leadership in recruiting youth and families to the experiences of hunting and fishing and for teaching them about outdoor activities and conservation. The USSAF is one of the Take Pride in America Charter Partners, who work to improve public lands, historic sites and other recreation areas.

Trailblazer is endorsed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) STEP OUTSIDE Program and NSSF is a major sponsor. Corporate sponsors include Bushnell Performance Optics, Cabela’s, Charles Daly, Crosman, North Fork Bancorporation and The Outdoor Channel.  Additional support comes from the William H. Flowers Jr. Foundation.

The USSAF also works in partnership with Boy Scouts of America; Bowfishing Association of America; Foundation for North American Wild Sheep; Fur Takers of America; Kentucky Fur Takers Association; Masters of Foxhounds Association of America; National Wild Turkey Federation chapters; Ohio Division of Wildlife; Safari Club International, NY Tri-State Chapter; Shikar Safari Club International Foundation; U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit; West Virginia Division of Natural Resources; state wildlife agencies and local sportsmen’s clubs to make Trailblazer a success nationwide.

For more information about the program, e-mail trailblazer@ussportsmen.org  or visit www.trailblazeradventure.org.