Too many kids are spending too little time outdoors, and that trend will have a devastating effect on our industry and on conservation efforts in the years to come. The American Deer & Wildlife Alliance believes that the future of our industry and, indeed, our entire hunting and agricultural heritage belongs to the next generation, so the Alliance is working through the ADWF to facilitate several youth-based programs.

ADWF hosts and sponsors numerous outdoor educational classes and events which are specifically geared to help build a solid foundation of stewards and conservationists that will appreciate deer, wildlife and our other beautiful resources.

From youth archery classes to introducing whitetail fawns to urban school children, ADWF events are always fun, hands-on programs that introduce children to all kinds of outdoors pursuits, deer, wildlife and much more.

Beginning in 2009, the American Deer & Wildlife Foundation will fund a grant to help give a first-hand education on whitetail deer to thousands of elementary, middle and high school student. The mobile deer education facility, owned and operated by Porter Whitetails, visits schools throughout Minnesota and provides more than 20,000 students the opportunity to observe tame whitetail bucks from just a few feet away.

Hunter recruitment today is the future of our hunting industry tomorrow, so reaching and creating ‘New HunterZ’ by giving young people the opportunity for their first hunt is an important goal for the American Deer & Wildlife Foundation. Learn more about the New HunterZ Program.

Help the Foundation create a permanent home in which to welcome and educate new hunters and provide first-time hunts throughout the year. Learn more about the New HunterZ Program and donate today to the ADWF New HunterZ Camp Fund.

Supporting outdoor education and youth participation, the American Deer & Wildlife Foundation has initiated an all-new youth program to provision select, outdoor youth camps across the country with special ‘Camper Bags.’ The Camper Bags typically contain the latest issue of SPIKES Magazine, t-shirts, caps, pocket knives, compasses, decals and patches, antler mounting kits, education materials, and many more items provided by ADWA members.

Among the first camps included were Ted Nugent’s Kamp for Kids in Jackson, Mich.; Beyond the Backyard in Charleston, W.V.; United Sportsmen’s Youth Foundation in Freeport, Ill.; Ray Howell’s Kicking Bear in La Crescent, Minn.; and Texas Deer Association’s Youth Deer Camp in San Antonio, Texas.

"On behalf of Mr. Nugent and all of us at Ted Nugent United Sportsmen of America, and the Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids, we thank you sincerely for your support!"

- Linda Peterson, Assistant to Mr. Nugent