BURNS, Tenn.—A rainy weekend failed to dampen spirits as 44 youth participants and more than 80 total attendees gathered at Montgomery Bell State Park on July 25–26 for the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) Annual Montgomery Bell Family Campout. The free weekend event connected local families with hands-on outdoor experiences, including fishing, archery, camping, and native wildlife arts and crafts.
A major driver behind this year’s success was a big response from organized labor. Following the distribution of a new event sponsorship flyer, local union organizations stepped forward to support the event. Sponsorship funding and support were provided by Iron Workers Local 492, Insulators Local 86, UA Local 572, Painters District Council 58, IBEW Local 429, Teamsters Local 327, and the Nashville Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC).
Their contributions funded weekend meals—including Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast—as well as raffle prizes and gear for youth participants. Every child in attendance took home outdoor items, ranging from archery equipment, headlamps, and sleeping bags to a high-demand Milwaukee cooler.
“Sponsorship was huge this year,” said USA Conservation Manager Cody Campbell. “For me, it’s all about seeing folks who started with us nine years ago come back every year. The fact that they showed up even in the rain speaks volumes about what this event means to the community.”
Despite the weather, attendees caught bluegill and sun perch, honed archery skills, and participated in outdoor art stations focused on painting native Tennessee wildlife and wildflowers. Local Boy Scout troops assisted with rigging fishing rods, campsite cleanup, and running event stations while earning merit badges. A local Girl Scout troop also pitched in as on-site volunteers.
“The rain kept the temperatures down, and the kids weren’t phased by it at all,” said USA Conservation Coordinator Maggie Sager. “It was wonderful to see returning families with grandparents and cousins relaxing together outside.”
One of the many benefits of this union-sponsored event is the outreach USA is able to provide. “I spoke with a 15-year-old Boy Scout at the campout who told me he wants to go straight into the building trades as a welder or lineman,” Sager added.
Longtime volunteer lead Anthony Nicholson, retired Nashville BCTC president and retired Insulators Local 86 business manager, emphasized the community effort required to pull off the event each year.
“There’s really no such thing as a single lead volunteer because everyone chips in,” Nicholson said. “We had several families this year who had never camped before get their first experience staying in the cabins. The Scouts were a big help. I’ve been doing this since we started it. The only year I missed was when we didn’t have it during COVID. As long as I’m able, I’m going to help out.”
Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA): The USA is a union-dedicated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or connect on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.
Work Boots on the Ground (WBG): WBG is the USA’s flagship conservation program that brings together union members willing to volunteer their time and expertise to conservation projects that improve and enhance public access to the outdoors, conserve wildlife habitat, restore America’s parks and mentor youth in the outdoors. The USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program works closely with federal, state and local agencies and other conservation groups to provide manpower needed to complete critical projects that may otherwise go undone.
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