Families to Fishing and Shooting Sports
LENEXA, Kan. — The Fourth Annual Boilermakers Get Youth Outdoors Day on Sept. 21 was a day of firsts for many kids and families at Powder Creek Shooting Park.
From archery and sporting clays shooting to fishing, 41 youths and their families were guided through activity stations by International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) members, Union Insurance Group and UA Local 562.
Eye and hearing protection, firearms, and ammunition, were provided at no charge, and each youth participant received a fishing rod and reel to keep. Attendees also enjoyed a free lunch.
IBB Assistant to the International President Kym Savage, who enjoys engaging with a variety of people, explained why this event is valuable for youths.
“In today’s fast-paced world and need for instant gratification, these events allow kids to build different skills like patience, focus, and discipline,” she said. “I also feel that these events, especially the shooting sports and archery, teach kids how to safely operate and respect the equipment. I hope these kids uncovered a new talent they want to keep striving to improve.”
For Tim Steffan, a UA Local 562 member, it was a full family experience.
“Lucky for me, I was able to bring my grandson, two sons and nephew this year who have all been trained with firearms to help out,” he said. “I don’t know many other sports where you can participate with three generations on the same team.”
Get Youth Outdoors Day was part of a series of free, community-based youth outreach events organized under Work Boots on the Ground—the USA’s flagship conservation program.
“Helping a child catch their first fish and seeing their excitement and awe is so incredibly special to me,” Savage said. “Not just the excitement, but because they will carry that memory with them, and knowing I was part of that milestone is so rewarding and humbling.”
Steffan, who volunteered at the shotgun station, enjoyed working with first-time shooters.
“Just to be able to hold a firearm safely and use it for the first time was a priceless experience for the kids,” Steffan said. “You could tell many were scared, but after a few shells they were comfortable, and we saw many smiles.”
USA Conservation Manager Cody Campbell explained the lasting impact of Get Youth Outdoors Day.
“This is an awesome event that gives kids and their families the chance to try things they might not get to do otherwise—like fishing, shooting a bow, or just enjoying a day outside together,” Campbell said. “It opens the door to new experiences and helps create traditions they can carry on for years to come.”
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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