QUEENSTOWN, Md. — For 82 youths and their families, Saturday’s Fourth Annual Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) Richard L. Trumka Memorial Get Youth Outdoors Day offered an introduction to fishing, archery, shooting, hunting safety education and more at the Point at Pintail.
Twenty-three volunteers from USA founding partners, Ullico and Union Insurance Group (UIG); USA union partners AFL-CIO and United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, & Allied Workers; the Maryland Department of Natural Resources; and Communications Workers of America Local 2106 helped make the event possible.
The annual event is held in honor of the late USA Chairman of the Board and AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka, whose passion for hunting, fishing, shooting and passing on the outdoor heritage helped launch and shape the mission of the USA.
JP Smith, the AFL-CIO Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer, and a member of the USA Board of Directors, explained why it is important for him and the AFL-CIO to be involved in Get Youth Outdoors Day each year.
“I grew up in a family that hunts, fishes, and enjoys the outdoors so having the privilege to continue that tradition with America’s unions is special to me,” Smith said. “It is so important for the AFL-CIO to be the title sponsor of this event. Former USA Chairman and AFL-CIO President Emeritus, Richard L. Trumka, was one of the founders of the USA and to have the AFL-CIO help to execute on the original vision is something we do with enormous pride.”
Tina Fletcher, President of Ullico Casualty Group, said volunteering at the event brought back memories of time spent in the outdoors with her grandfather.
“I grew up hunting and fishing with him and learned so much about nature by being outside,” she said. “I learned to respect the land and animals around me, even the ones we harvested for food. I also learned about preservation, especially when certain types of fish or animals are endangered. It really helps kids connect to the outdoors, the ecosystem that connects us all, and provides an opportunity to create a special bond with those that you share the experience with.”
Not only did attendees learn new skills, but each youth participant received a free rod and reel, enjoyed a free lunch, and some even took home prizes from the raffle drawing.
Get Youth Outdoors Day was part of a series of free, community-based youth outreach activities organized under Work Boots on the Ground—the USA’s flagship conservation program.
USA Conservation Coordinator Maggie Sager explained what made the day special.
“This event is about more than just a day outside, it’s about creating lasting memories, building skills, and passing on a deep respect for the outdoors,” Sager said. “Families came from all around to fish, shoot, try archery, and share in the joy of discovery together.”
Smith explained how this event reflected the mission of the USA.
“Watching a kid catch their first fish, shoot their first archery target or sporting clay and see them find a new passion in real time is invaluable,” he said. “And to see their families, some of them also experiencing the outdoors for the first time, share in that experience is the most valuable thing we can do at the USA.”
Fletcher enjoyed interacting with youths.
“There was one little girl that was about eight years old,” Fletcher said. “She fell in love with fishing on Saturday. After showing her how to cast a few times, she had it down. She caught at least 10 fish, and she didn’t want to stop. Her grandfather had to make her put the pole down. Before she left, she thanked me and said she can’t wait to go fishing again.”
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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