Outdoor Adventure

Education

The Dallas Ecological Foundation (DEF) is extremely grateful to the Texas Hill Country Chapter SCI

and their 2013 $4000.00, as well as their 2014 $5000.00 grant to support the Outdoor Adventures Education (OAE) program. The DEF is a 501C3 organization under IRS regulations and works with the Dallas Safari Club. THCC SCI and the DEF’s relationship will provide matching equipment grants to schools offering the OAE program. This year's THCC SCI grant specifically assisted the OAE program at .

Last year's THCC SCI grant specifically assisted the North East Independent School District’s matching equipment request. NEISD is located in the San Antonio area and all seven of their high schools will offer the OAE program with 1500 students enrolled in the program starting this fall. Middle school and high school youth’s lives have been changed by introducing them to the great outdoors and wildlife conservation through OAE. The NEISD’s matching equipment grant request for the seven high schools was very large. With NEISD matching THCC SCI’s grant two complete OAE equipment sets will be purchased. A set includes archery, fishing and outdoor cooking equipment. The DEF was also assisted by the Houston Safari Club. Only through the combined efforts of the all three organizations was the NEISD request fulfilled.

What is the OAE?

The OAE program is a unique secondary school physical education course. Instead of teaching PE with basketballs and tennis rackets, we use rods and reels, and bows and arrows. DEF has a partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Each student is taught TPWD’s Hunter Education, Angler Education, NASP Archery, survival skills, CPR/First Aid, Camping, Outdoor Cooking, Hiking and many other outdoor units. The Outdoor Adventures curriculum is being taught in over 160 secondary schools with numerous positive attributes associated with the class. School principals’ report improved self esteem, improved attendance, less discipline issues and improved grades for students while enrolled in the course. More than 50% of the students in OAE are not involved in the outdoors. Responsive Management is completing a new survey on OAE and the results have not been published at this time but some preliminary findings include:

22% of the students completing OAE have hunted
34% of the students have purchased hunting license
67% are interested in hunting
92% OAE prepared them for hunting, fishing, shooting, camping and boating
93-97% OAE students indicated they learned about hunting safety, ethics and methods
93% of the students completing OAE enjoyed the class

OAE is increasing hunter and angler interest and participation. With the special partnership between the DEF and THCC SCI, there will be more future hunters and anglers to ensure our legacy.

Thank you so much for the generous grant!

SCIF Education Programs

HILL COUNTRY SAFARI CLUB CONDUCTS SENSORY SAFARI AT TEXAS LIONS CAMP

Kerrville, TX

June 2019,……..Summer campers at Texas Lions Camp were treated to a Sensory Safari conducted by Chapter President, Ed Hitchler; Chapter Treasurer, Rebecca Williamson; Board Member, Jan Strauss, along with chapter members, Mark German and Alec Strauss.

Ken Wilson, chapter member, and owner of Ken Wilson Realty in Kerrville, started the sensory safari at Texas Lions Camp in 1994, and the chapter continues this annual tradition. These dedicated chapter volunteers taught approximately 30 campers and counselors this summer about various wildlife, horn vs. antler distinctions, habitat, and even some nicknames, such as the “grey ghost” of Africa.

Sensory Safari offers a unique opportunity to children and adults. Originally designed for the visually impaired, the Safari Club International safari experience has expanded to include wildlife zoos, natural history museums, libraries, senior citizens and the disabled. In this unique event, knowledgeable leaders describe the animals and their habitats as participants touch, and sometimes hug the displays. Donors have supplied a full-size grizzly bear, Rio Grande turkey, whitetail & mule deer antlers, mountain lion rug, skulls & skins, caribou antlers in velvet, axis antlers, kudu horns, water buffalo horns & skull, as well as shoulder mounts of deer, sheep, goats, hartebeest and many other interesting animals.

Whether stroking the thick fur of a bear or the soft velvet of an antler, or feeling the sharp teeth of a mountain lion, the participants have the opportunity to experience what many people have not.

Texas Lions Camp is a residential camping facility whose primary purpose is to provide, without charge, a camp for physically disabled, hearing/vision impaired, and diabetic children from the State of Texas. Safari Club International’s primary focus is promoting wildlife conservation and hunters’ rights. For more information on these non-profit organizations, and how you can help, visit their websites: www.safariclub.org; www.texashillcountrysci.org; www.lionscamp.com

4H Projects

Zoofari at Kerrfest

Thank you to the Texas Hill Country Chapter of Safari Club International for your sponsorship of Zoofari at Kerrfest. We had an awesome turnout!! Around 350 kids spent the day learning about and interacting with a variety of exotic species. Below are photos of the event.

Additionally, there were some patrons who asked about leaving donations for HC SCI. We collected $49 that I would like to send to you.

Thank you again!

Kristan D. Weaver

Vice-President of Operations

Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce

Burnet Middle School