It seems you can’t go anywhere these days without seeing news or hearing conversations regarding youths today. Most days on Social Media it is the same thing. News of troubled youths, youth related crimes and then there is the whole “Challenge of the week” from cinnamon to tide pods. If you participate in the outdoors communities on Social Media these posts often have comments or references about getting kids outdoors and away from the TV, X-Box or cell phone. It is simply unavoidable and yet few actually try to get out and make a difference.
Not John Annoni! John is working hard to make a difference in a big way.
John is a teacher in Allendale Pennsylvania. On top of that he is the Founder and CEO of Camp Compass. Camp Compass is a nonprofit program developed for urban, disadvantaged youth by John Annoni. His staff of volunteer mentors are making a difference in the inner city by providing hunting, fishing, archery, tutoring, social guidance, and other outdoor youth activities. The children involved are helped with life through a structured program fostering self esteem, providing role models and influencing positive choices. During these sessions students will be introduced and networked to community businesses and working role models. The consequence will be an educated and influenced population understanding conservation, sportsmen’s philosophies and their activities.
This is not a “take a kid out once and pat yourself on the back” sort of organization. Kids are required to make a commitment to the program and must be involved with Camp Compass for two full years before they are eligible to hunt. See the video at the bottom of this article to hear more about Camp Compass through the words of John Annoni himself.
To support Camp Compass John also launched “Hunting Awareness” to raise money for Camp Compass and at the same time provide hunters a way to unite with our own awareness ribbon. Plus this ribbon comes in Hunter Orange!!
If you take no other action today to help get a kid in the outdoors order a hunter awareness ribbon to support John’s efforts. Order a few of them to pass along to friends. I just placed an order for 6 myself and will be handing them to friends and maybe sending them to guests of the podcast. Also, please take the time to share this article on social media or at least share the hunting awareness website.
We need a lot more people like John, together we can make a difference!
John Annoni interviewed by David Lomardo at the 2018 SHOT Show.
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