Be an Outdoor Mentor This Summer

The MN DNR is seeking volunteers this summer and fall to share the outdoors with a kid and "leave no child inside."  If you are looking for other great tips on how to introduce kids to the outdoors, I recommend "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv 

Outdoor Mentors help needed:

10+ Outdoor Mentors are needed for the Festival of Fish at Fort Snelling from 9:30am to 3:30pm on July 12. Fishing and other hand-on skills will be taught with all equipment provided for 250 youths from St Paul and Mpls Rec Depts. Contact Mike Kurre at: Michael.kurre@state.mn.us  

10+ Outdoor Mentors are needed for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Outdoor Days at Fort Snelling State Park from apx 11am to 2pm on Saturday, July 20. We’ll need people with archery, air rifles and fishing skills to assist both youth and adults (all equipment provided). More info to follow if you volunteer. Contact Mike Kurre at:  Michael.kurre@state.mn.us

Volunteers are being requested for Deer Day in Mora on Aug 10 and/or 11 from 9am to 4pm. Share your deer hunting and outdoor skills in shooting, tracking and Firearms Safety. Contact Linda at: linda.bylander@state.mn.us for more information.

• Get Youth Outdoors Day in St Cloud on Aug 11 for the first 45 kids who want to learn more about the shooting sports. They’ll receive safety briefing, handling instructions and be closely supervised with a hands-on introduction to trap, rifle and archery. To volunteer, contact Tim Bindle at: timb@unionsportsmen.org or 608-397-1023 or call Mike Ganz at 612-865-0343.

 DNR

• FREE Outdoor Youth Expo (Granite City Days) is on for the St Cloud area this Saturday, June 29 at 10am to 4pm. The hands-on outdoor skills & fishing will take place at and around Lake George in downtown area. http://www.granitecitydays.com/fishing.aspx
• Deer Day in Mora MN August 11, 9:30 – 3:30 pm.  This is a free program for anyone age 10 and older that would like to learn about deer hunting and have a lot of hands-on practice with shotgun, rifles, .22s, archery, tracking and blinds.  Register by emailing linda.bylander@state.mn.us.
• Upland Bird Day in Rosemount MN September 14, 1 – 5 pm.  This is a free program for anyone age 10 and older that would like to learn upland bird hunting.  Register by emailing linda.bylander@state.mn.us.
• Bow Hunter Education course & field day August 10 & 11, Mora.  Register by calling or emailing linda.bylander@state.mn.us.
• Family Firearm Safety Class, Oct 17 – 18.  Grand Rapids.  This class is almost full so register quickly to attend a weekend FAS class.  Fee $15.  Register by calling Kraig Kiger at 218-999-7949.

 Other Outdoor Opportunities:

• Dakota County Gun Club Youth Shoot – it’s held on July 6 & 20, Aug 3, 17 & 24 from 10am to 2pm for kids 16 & under. Take your first steps in learning how to shoot firearms and archery equipment safely. On Aug 24, a much larger FUN Shoot experience will take place with ATV’s, hunting organizations, raffles, muzzleloaders, cowboy action shooting and much more!     

              http://dakotacountygunclub.org/Youth_Shoot.html

July 13, 2013: 2nd Annual Catfish Tournament at Powderhorn Park in Mpls. Fishing for Life and the Minneapolis Park Board have teamed up to present the 2nd Annual Powderhorn Catfish Tourney in Powderhorn Park. Bait and loaner equipment are provided for those who don't have their own, first-come, first-served.  For more information, contest rules or to sign up please visit: http://www.fishingforlife.org/pages/events

 August 2, 2013:  C.A.S.T.  Event at Lake George in Cedar. Join the Anoka County Sheriff's Office for a fun day of fishing at Lake George. The Sheriff's Office has partnered with Fishing for Life, Anoka Cty Parks & IB Ins to host a kid's fishing day and tournament. Children will be paired up with a Fishing Guide and taken out in a boat. Trophies will be given for the largest Bass, Northern, Pan Fish, and more. Kids will also be able to fish from the dock and participate in the Sunny Shoot Out! All equipment, bait, lunch, entertainment, entry to the park, and prizes are provided for FREE. Youth must be between the ages of 5 and 17 to participate. For questions, please email crime.prevention@co.anoka.mn.us. For more information, contest rules or to sign up please visit: http://www.fishingforlife.org/pages/events.

 August 17, 2013: Guided Youth Fishing Event at Lake Marion in Lakeville. Sign up your child for a guided fishing outing and your child will be matched up with a boat guide and learn to fish in a friendly fishing contest.  At the end of the day, they’ll provide your child with a shore lunch and great memories.  This is a free event to attend but space is limited. For more information, contest rules or to sign up please visit: http://www.fishingforlife.org/pages/events.

• Get Youth Outdoors Day in St Cloud on Aug 11 for the first 45 kids who want to learn more about the shooting sports. They’ll receive safety briefing, handling instructions and be closely supervised with a hands-on introduction to trap, rifle and archery. To pre-register or to volunteer, contact Tim Bindle at: timb@unionsportsmen.org or 608-397-1023 or call Mike Ganz at 612-865-0343.
• September 7, 2013: Guided Youth Fishing Lake at Bald Eagle Lake in White Bear Lake. Sign up your child for a guided fishing outing and your child will be matched up with a boat guide and learn to fish in a friendly fishing contest.  At the end of the day, they’ll provide your child with a shore lunch and great memories.  This is a free event to attend but space is limited. For more information, contest rules or to sign up please visit: http://www.fishingforlife.org/pages/events.