Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Continues Sponsorship ofPass It On – Outdoor Mentors

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors was awarded $25,000.00 in a grant from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Torstenson Family Endowment Hunting Heritage Grant Program.  These funds will be used to increase our efforts to get kids out hunting and fishing through outdoor mentorship.

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors has been engaged in recruiting mentors for at-risk youth since its beginnings in 2002. RMEF was one of the first to step up and help launch the outdoor mentoring efforts of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors in 2002. Last year, our Program Coordinators planned over 500 events across the states of Kansas and Iowa which resulted in getting over 1,200 kids outdoors through mentorship. Since fall of 2019, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors has doubled the number of hunts year over year and is expecting to organize over 700 hunts in ‘23, growing by another 50%.

Brittany French, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors CEO commented, “Our program is identifying barriers that youth face when becoming a hunter or angler. We are working every day to break those barriers by providing new and continued hunting and fishing opportunities to youth interested in becoming an outdoorsman/woman. By providing access, social support and guidance from vetted volunteer mentors, thousands of kids each year are reaping the benefits of the outdoors. With the generosity from RMEF, we are going to be able to serve more deserving youth in the outdoors!”

“As an organization that seeks to ensure the future of our hunting heritage, RMEF is happy and proud to support the good work carried out by Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors. Introducing more boys and girls to the outdoors helps instill a love and appreciation of our wildlife, conservation, and hunting, which they can both cherish and carry over to future generations,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. 

“As our model evolves to adapt to the outdoor culture of differing areas, we see tremendous opportunities for its growth and expansion,” shared Mike Christensen, President of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors. “As we establish our program in new areas, we expect to see our growth continue at a rapid rate. But none of this would be possible without the strong support we have received from RMEF since the very beginning. When organizations can partner and leverage our expertise, we can make great things happen for kids in the outdoors!”

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:

Founded 39 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 225,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 8.6 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund, and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation” at www.rmef.org, www.elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.

About Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. is a Wichita, Kansas-based national organization dedicated to providing children with mentors who will share with them the experiences of traditional outdoor activities. The heart of the group’s mission is to give children opportunities to connect with nature that they more than likely won’t have without a mentor showing them the way. Partnering with organizations with like-minded conservation and youth participation efforts like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pheasants Forever, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Delta Waterfowl, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation, among others, volunteers with a passion for the outdoors can give a child the chance to go fish, hunt, or simply spend time in the fields with a caring adult. For more information about Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, please visit http://www.outdoormentors.org.