Every once in a while it’s a good thing to asses where you are at.  I want to thank Gary Coleshill from Coleshill & Associates for taking the time to help me sort out my response to what I do and who I am.  You know those times when your out and about and someone asks  “so what do you do?”  I never gave it much thought until Gary asked and wanted me to be succent about it.  I always said what was on my mind. It seemed my response depended on what hat I was wearing (Teacher, mentor, CEO, author, etc.).  Thanks Gary for taking the time to help me iron out my 10 second speech regarding what I do or better yet what I live.

“I help the youth of today  with their education,  character, and personal growth, by getting them involved in outdoor projects and pursuits that enable them to grow as caring, mature members of society.”

 

Here’s “BULLET PROOF” of that!

I guess when you do you’re work where I do things are bound to happen.  We just came off a very successful run of state education classes and reward trips and finally had a chance to park the bus for an evening and you can see the result.  I think i’m going to let the graffiti on our van..  It give the bus credibility and a little more character.  Who wants to see kids smiling on the side of a bus, anyway?  I hate to say the smiles that our kids show every Monday when they come to academy might be wiped off by the careless act of someone who needs attention.  Well, we will keep it there so that we can improve the self esteem of and individual who needs to learn about another kind of tagging.  How about tagging a bird, a deer or even a piece of canvas.

I’m not quite sure how my family was adopted by the Trask and Taylor families in North Carolina but I’m thankful for the blessing.  In my book,  I write about making sure that I have family time hunting with Landon and our new adopted family is making sure we get it.  We have been welcomed so openly and given the opportunity to become part of  huge family that shares our values and passion for youth and the outdoors.  I can only shake my head when I think about how much they care and get my mission for the nation’s children .  I have a feeling that there is more to come in the next few years in regards to the fight for our children and a lot of that help will be coming from Tar Heel territory.

Here is my promise to the children of this nation for my upcoming trip to St. Louis.  I will work with extreme effort to introduce my new program to as many people as I can this coming week at the NRA convention.  It is my efforts joined in by others, that will ultimately give you a future in the hunting and shooting sports.  I will lead by example and will make sure that thousands hear about the 2 million bullet program. Future hunters and shooters, I  know that you’re counting on me and I’ve got your back!

Landon had a chance to play Drake, the butler for Oliver Warbucks, in  the play Annie.  Its a great feeling watching your child take on the persona of a character.  Throughout the play his job was to cater to Daddy Warbucks and Annie.  I see myself in that kind of role.  Always trying to take care of the “house” and making sure the ”family” is taking care of.  I don’t know if I could get used to wearing the outfits a butler would wear, but I know the intention of service is always with me.   Congratulation, Landon on your performances.

 

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 camp compass Academy founder one of our true heroes

Ronnie ‘Cuz’ Strickland, with mossy oak, tells it best: “I was at a big trade show – one attended by the entire outdoor industry every year. I was taking a walk around to the different booths and I’d already been stopped by a dozen well-known big wigs who wanted to brag about where they’d hunted and what all they’d shot in the past year, or wanted to tell me how great they were and how important their business is to the world, when I saw a guy at a small table by himself. Continue reading “HOW HUMBLING…” »

 

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Recently, I celebrated another year of life.  My wife being the angel she is surprised me with a precious gift.  It was not made of gold, diamonds or fur.  She gave me a 10 volume set of my last 18 years of efforts with camp compass.  It was very emotional for me.  Kids that have grown up, friends that have passed away and letters that called me a fool for thinking about even starting  a program like it.  Well, they say facts don’t lie and I have them in a very beautiful package.  I am so blessed to have my family, friends and the opportunity to change lives.

There is nothing like the look a student gives when you touch them beyond a test score. The eye contact that confirms their true belief in your words. I’m blessed to have that feeling come very often. The look is a sign of trust and a sign that we’re locked in. If I fail my students they stand a good chance of never being connected with me again. They are another reason for me to succeed!