Youth Outdoor Connection is a non-profit organization who provides free events for kids. We have many fishing events throughout the year where kids can learn how to get started in fishing and also how to become a better angler.

We also teach the Hunter’s Education and Safety course. Upon completion of the course we offer different shooting events including target and skeet shooting as well as archery. We do take kids hunting. This aspect depends upon the child’s comfort level as well as the comfort level of the parents. Parents are welcome to attend any and all of our events with their kids. Children wanting to solely venture in the outdoors and only view wildlife will be taught what kinds of different animals live in their area, what their habitats are, and how we coincide with them.

We intend to provide them with video equipment and cameras to capture memories that we hope last a lifetime. Children who have interests in hunting will be required to complete and pass a Hunter’s Education course which we will set up. We will teach them where the animals live, what their habits and needs are, and what their habitats are. They will also be taught animal tracks, signs, when and where to look for these animals, and what to expect during an encounter. We will do our best to help them harvest their first mature animal and thus their first trophy.

Any child’s first harvest of an animal is a trophy. In our experience we have determined that all children enjoy fishing. It is much more action packed and therefore does not require as much patience as some of the other activities. We will be learning about what types of fish are native to our areas, what types of baits they will react to, and how to effectively and legally catch them. We respect the law and require all members to do so as well. All game pursued must be done so within the legal hunting season for that game. Only legal means of taking an animal or fish will be allowed. Any illegal activity observed will be reported to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. North Carolina Wildlife Officer’s are welcome on any of our land(s) and are encouraged to patrol the area(s) at will.

Parents are encouraged to become involved in all of their child/children’s activities; however we do not provide hunts or fishing trips for adults. Our focus will be educating your children. Children will be scouting, hunting, tracking, fishing, and viewing wildlife with a Certified First Responder or someone of higher medical education. Safety is of the utmost importance! We will process your child/children’s harvest for them. They are more than welcome to assist as they, and their parents, see fit. We hope you will consider allowing your child/children to come and join us. If there are any questions or concerns that we can help you with please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

Sincerely, Keith Southern
President Youth Outdoor Connection