SAN ANTONIO – Trinity Oaks hosted its first ever H20 Youth Outdoor Day sponsored by the Weatherby Foundation at the Bexar County Community Shooting Range on July 28.  The free program, a full day of mentored events to engage youth in shooting, archery, fishing, and outdoors activities, was made possible by generous support of donors and more than 75 volunteers from the local area. 


“We would especially like to thank the Weatherby Foundation as title sponsor, and the many community mentors and supporters that made this day possible, including local game wardens, veterans, and first-responders. For many of the kids, it was their first experience with any of these activities, and it was truly magical to provide this opportunity to so many who otherwise would not have the chance,” shared Trinity Oaks’ Board President and Co-Founder Tom Snyder. 


Kids had hands on experiences shooting .22 rifles, shotguns, and bows, and each learned survival skills like starting a fire and how to prepare wild game venison. Every child attended a seminar on Why We Hunt and Conservation to learn about ecological balance and environmental stewardship. Basic fishing skills were taught, along with wildlife calls and deer antler rattling techniques taught by TV personality Larry Weishuhn. Anti-bullying discussion was lead by Matt Molack from David’s Legacy, emphasizing one of the major issues of cyber-bullying amongst young people. Though temperatures topped 100 degrees, the site was a flurry of active participation.


Every child took home a door prize – fishing rods, binoculars, pellet guns, or archery equipment – to keep them participating in outdoor activity.


One parent, Evelyn, described the transformational impact that the event had on her 10-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter: “I was a little apprehensive about allowing them to participate in the outdoor day since it involved kids shooting real firearms, but at the same time I wanted them to understand the safety of how to handle a firearm. My kids had an amazing time and wanted to get more involved with archery, shooting sports and possibly hunting. It changed my personal perception on firearms, too. The biggest surprise to me was after the kids spent 8 hours in the heat outdoors and were completely worn out they were already asking when they could attend another event. This one event truly changed their perspective on the outdoors!”


Trinity Oaks, a local nonprofit that has been offering a youth outdoor afterschool program for hundreds of kids from disadvantaged and nontraditional households for more than a decade. With 95% of land in Texas privately owned, free opportunities for kids to explore hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities are limited. The result is that youth that could benefit from outdoors activity or want to explore it often cannot, especially those from single parent or economically disadvantaged households.



Yvette, another parent, described, “I heard of this event from word of mouth. My 11-year-old daughter loves the outdoors, but I have not been able to personally take her hunting. She needs a mentor! She loved the ATV drive. And as it was the first time she had held a shotgun, she was trembling with excitement. I now want to volunteer and learn so I can learn to take her hunting myself.”


Brittany Longoria, Trinity Oaks’ Executive Director concludes, “Trinity Oaks emphasizes that getting kids outdoors is ALL of our mission and looks forward to continue to work with like-minded organizations to make an even bigger impact in the lives of others.”  Along with the Weatherby Foundation, annual supporters of Trinity Oaks general youth programs include: AirForce Airguns, Colonial Life, Central Texas Wildlife Legacy Foundation, Houston Safari Club Foundation, Central Texas Quail Forever, DSC's Trailing The Hunter's Moon TV show, Cargill, Sportsman's Choice & Record Rack Feed, Quail Coalition, Dallas Safari Club, Omujeve Hunting Safaris Namibia, Barnes Bullets, Leupold Optics, Ruger, Cross Trail Outfitters - Texas, Hoffpauir, ArmyBassAnglers, Whitetails Unlimited, Texas Trophy Hunters Association, and Safari Club International Foundation.  Special thanks to more than 75 volunteers who made this day possible, including Charlie Waller, Larry Weishuhn, Jim Zumbo, Matt Molak, and Rick Lambert. 


The registration was full within 39 minutes, which emphasizes the need and desire for more programs like this.  “Since one of our core goals as an organization is to connect youth who otherwise would not have the opportunity to enjoying the outdoors, this event was a huge success. We are already planning to offer a similar youth day for 300-500 youth for at least 5 other Texas cities in 2019!” explained Brittany Longoria. 


More information on participating in Trinity Oaks youth events or supporting its charitable work can be found at www.trinityoaks.org or on their Facebook page. 


More about Trinity Oaks

Trinity Oaks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on the premise that active participation in the outdoors is a powerful, healing, and fundamentally life-changing experience. Our mission is to use hunting, fishing and outdoor activities to give back and make a difference in the lives of others. For decades, we have known of the philosophical shift that outdoor activities cause within those who participate in them and how that profoundly impacts the wellness of our society. 

Our main goal is to connect the solace of wild places and the many recreational opportunities therein to offer respite, comradery, and an uplift of spirit to those that most need it but cannot afford it.   On an annual basis, we offer at least 50 free events for people who can benefit from once-in-a-lifetime hunting or fishing experiences.  

• At least 1,500 youth in difficult circumstances annually learn how to properly handle firearms and shoot firearms and archery equipment. Not only do those programs open them to outdoors recreation that they wouldn’t experience otherwise, but they also minimalize their risk of turning to drug use or other negative behaviors, improve their leadership and academic capacity, and teach them the responsibility of stewardship for our environment.
• In 2016, we honored and served 635 Purple Heart and live combat veterans with Hero Celebrations to hunt and/or angle, as well as provide active venues in the great outdoors for them to spend time with peers who understand the rigors of war and family. 
• We facilitate Dream Trips for terminally ill in our community to fulfill their hunting or fishing wish and create a lasting memory with their family. 
• StarKids forges lifelong mentorship relationships for 20+ children of fallen first responders annually, through learning hunting and shooting skills with a peer volunteer from their parent’s police force or squadron. 
• We honor the caretakers of our wounded warriors, with an annual Holiday UnSung Heroes Retreat at our Guadalupe River Camp. 

Through our Meat Mission, we are able to process over 100,000 pounds of game meat into 540,000 meals annually for soup kitchens, homeless shelters, group homes, and orphanages.

Programs are operated from a base in San Antonio, at sites across Texas, nationally, and internationally in partnership with dozens of volunteers, nonprofits, and other agencies. 

• We operate the Guadalupe River Camp in Seguin, Texas, and Paige’s Place in Port Mansfield. 
• In 2017, we launched our first two “Branches” in Austin and Victoria. 
• Thumbtack Ranch in Batesville was purchased in 2017 and a 3-year plan is underway renovate and make fully handicapped accessible the site as our operational headquarters for all shooting, hunting, fishing, and recreation programs. 


CONTACT: Brittany Longoria, Executive Director, Trinity Oaks (830)928.3085 or britt@trinityoaks.org