Greenwood's NWTF Chapter Wins National Award for Educating Youth

Greenwood’s NWTF Chapter Wins National Award for Educating Youth

Greenwood’s NWTF Chapter Wins National Award for Educating Youth

National Wild Turkey Federation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --(AmmoLand.com)- Volunteers with the Neil “Gobbler” Cost Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation are dedicated to preserving North America’s outdoor traditions by providing opportunities for youth to learn outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, shooting and more.

The Neil “Gobbler” Cost Chapter received a Best JAKES Event Award during the Federation’s 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show. Divided into categories based on event size, the Neil “Gobbler” Cost Chapter hosted the nation’s best event for between 76 and 150 youth. The convention, sponsored by MidwayUSA, is taking place in Nashville until Feb. 21.

“Without our volunteers’ determination and hard work, we couldn’t have earned this award,” said Dennis Waters, JAKES program coordinator for the Neil “Gobbler” Cost Chapter. “The volunteers will all be so proud, and also inspired to keep up the good work.”

Dennis Waters from the National Wild Turkey Federation's Neil "Gobbler" Cost Chapter accepted the chapter's award for hosting the nation's best JAKES event for between 76 and 150 youth.

Headquartered in Greenwood, S.C., the Neil “Gobbler” Cost Chapter hosted a JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) event that was one of the best out of more than 1,000 JAKES events hosted by NWTF chapters nationwide.

“Hunting, fishing, shooting and other outdoor activities are safe, enjoyable and educational for youth,” said Mandy Harling, JAKES program coordinator. “The Neil “Gobbler” Cost Chapter has taken the lead in their area for ensuring that young people understand how important conservation and being good stewards of land and wildlife are to our hunting heritage.”

The NWTF’s JAKES program is dedicated to teaching the principles of wildlife management and passing along the traditions of safe, ethical and responsible hunting to youth up to age 12.

The Xtreme JAKES program was developed for teens between the ages of 13 and 17. The program provides advanced outdoor opportunities and challenges more in line with older JAKES abilities and experiences.

Combined, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES events held throughout North America attracted more than 75,000 youth in 2009. The JAKES program is growing steadily, and earning a JAKES award has become increasingly competitive. Any local NWTF chapter that hosts a JAKES event can apply for the JAKES awards.

For more information about the JAKES program or the NWTF visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF.

2010 Convention Sponsors:
Affinity4, ATK/Federal Premium Ammunition, Bank of America, Bass Pro Shops, Benelli, Browning, Call Makers and Collectors Association of America, CamoFX, Chevrolet, Farm Service Agency, Foxy Huntress, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, HuntVe, Knight Rifles, Leupold & Stevens, Marlin Firearms Company, MeadWestvaco, MidwayUSA, Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Band & Tag Co., O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., Mossy Oak and The Pursuit Channel, The Outdoor Connection, Remington Arms Company, Inc., SHE Outdoor Apparel, TriStar Sporting Arms, USDA Forest Service, Weatherby, Inc., Wild Turkey Bourbon, Winchester Division/Olin Corp.

About the NWTF:
The National Wild Turkey Federation is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its more than 350,000 members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.

The Federation works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs – Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.

The NWTF was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C. According to many state and federal agencies, the comeback of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America’s wildlife history.

Visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF for details.