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Sportsmen Preserving
Outdoor Traditionwelcomes you to...
SpotForKids.org
Sportsmen Preserving Outdoor Tradition and the S.P.O.T. for Kids program are making a move to unify all sportsmen in one "spot"... to provide the resources, inspiration, education and the experiences necessary to successfully reintroduce kids to the outdoors.
As you scroll down, the logos you see on the left represent just the beginning. These businesses have all subscribed to the necessity of S.P.O.T. and the S.P.O.T. for Kids program as a means to inspire youth and adults to return to the outdoors.
Why do we need to do this?
According to a U.S. Census report entitled "Anglers and hunters who purchased licenses or who were exempt", in 1996 there were 11,257,000 residents hunting. By 2006, the number had dropped to 9,591,000. That's a loss of 1,666,000 hunters across the country.
In 1996 there were 21,437,000 residents fishing. By 2006 the number had dropped to 18,070,000. That's a loss of 3,367,000 anglers across the country.
The Michigan State Parks and Recreation attendance rates from 1996 to 2006, (including day use and camps) experienced over a 19% decrease.
The Michigan YMCA reports that from 1999 to 2006, Boy's Camp participation rates dropped by 23%.
Boy Scouts of America reports that in 1999 the total number of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Michigan was 111,522. By 2006, they were down to 94,726. That's a 15% loss.
The list goes on.
According to MDNR reports, from 1998 to 2006, the only licenses to experience an increase in sales were: Fur Harvesting, Sr. Fishing All Species and Non-Resident Fishing All Species. All other licenses suffered massive declines. Total Junior licenses were down 25% from 1999 to 2005.
Over the Years, The Sportsmen... They Gathered-
all for just One Cause,
to Protect our Wildlife Habitat, and the Animals
with Wings, Hooves, Gills or Paws.
They Taught Their Children to Hunt, Fish and Conserve-
to Inspire the Next Generation,
and to Protect what They Deserve.
This Lasted a While, and Worked just Great... till, oh,
just about Nineteen Ninety Eight.
We've Lost one point six Million Hunters
in Just Ten Years- all across the U.S.A.
What Happened over the past Decade?
Can Anybody Say?
While Standing on the Summit, They Watch as
Our Numbers Plummet-
the Antis... They Grow Stronger Each and Every Day!
Something went Wrong- lots of Factors involved.
Can We Still Gather Enough Sportsmen?
Can We get this All Resolved?
Able or Challenged, We Are God's Children, and
His Bounty We Deserve.
On Behalf of All Children, and God's Intent...
These Traditions We Must Preserve!
This is no small project.
It's time to wake the sleeping giant.
This is a call to all sportsmen individually, to all sportsmen's groups collectively, and to all the manufacturers, distributors and retailers of the products we use as sportsmen.
We must join forces.
Our combined voices, our combined resources and our combined economic strength create the giant.
The common cause is to provide the inspiration, education and experiences that will motivate America's youth to get off the couch and participate in the great outdoors. We must show them that the outdoors can compete head to head with the best video games... especially when it comes to challenge and excitement.
There are no reset buttons out here!
The environment is real. All the sights. All the sounds. All the smells. You can eat what you hunt, fish or gather. You can even feel the earth under your feet.
The experiences are real. Really... when is the last time a video game actually gave you an adrenaline rush?
The rewards are real. Not just eating the fish you caught either. Kids who are active in the outdoors are less likely to be obese, have diabetes or other health problems, or be anti-social. They learn to appreciate the relationships that strive to keep balance in nature, and become more balanced in their own lives.
The lessons learned last a lifetime.
Bottom line? Hunting, fishing, camping and the conservation of our natural resources offer our youth a wide variety experiences that play out in real time... and in real life. All are challenging. All are rewarding. Each is an adventure... and a whole lot of fun! Escaping from the rat-race of everyday life is sometimes the most rewarding aspect of our traditions.
Sportsmen Preserving Outdoor Tradition has the answer. The path is very clear.
We need to stop our losses and regain our strength. Recruitment and retention are the keys to growth.
Here are the five key elements needed to transform a couch potato into a sportsman.
Resources. Inspiration. Information. Education. Experiences.
Joining forces creates the resources.
spotforkids tv will provide the inspiration.
spotforkids.org will provide the information.
The spotforkids facilities will provide the education.
S.P.O.T.'s network of Mentors will provide the experiences.
Like we said...this is no small project. We need your help.
We understand you probably already belong to another sportsmen's group, and we thank you for that.
Please continue to support your favorite species and its habitat requirements. Continue supporting the groups who are on the legislative front... fighting for our rights. We need them all.
Sportsmen Preserving Outdoor Tradition is the group dedicated to the recruitment of the next generation. Not for any one single animal or particular environment, but for the industry as a whole. We will get people outside and provide the experiences... the youth will decide which path they will take from there. We are not here to compete with other groups. We are fixing a broken link in our heritage chain. You've seen the statistics.
By joining S.P.O.T. for Kids today, you become part of the foundation upon which good things will be built.
The strategy is this:
The kids are already on the couch, so that's the best place to reach them. The best way to inspire kids to try something new is to show them other kids having fun doing that activity. That's exactly what spotforkids tv will do.
Sure, there are a lot of outdoor shows out there for adults, some of which spotlight kids once in a while. We will be 100% dedicated to youth activates. Our shows will feature hunting, fishing, camping, competitive shooting activities, as well as conservation, survival and safety education.
It will also create the perfect environment for manufactures and retailers to showcase their youth products like bows, guns, accessories, camping and safety equipment and much more. It is our goal to create a show that not only inspires the youth, but one that can inspire adults to be inspired by their children.
After the inspiration comes the information. After each show, the audience will be invited to visit spotforkids.org to get the information on how they can get involved. They will be able to contact other outdoor groups, organizations or clubs in their area, directly from our site. Manufacturers, retailers, fishing charters, taxidermists and more can also be contacted... many of which may offer discounts to S.P.O.T. members.
Joining Sportsmen Preserving Outdoor Tradition is easy and secure. Just click here and follow the instructions. Pay Pal handles our transactions.
Today's youth need to be introduced to the outdoors.
We must continuously recruit new people, so the torch we pass to the next generation lands in not only educated hands, but experienced ones as well.
Recruiting the next generation of sportsmen.
Sportsmen Preserving Outdoor Tradition
Join Forces. Educate. Succeed.
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