West Tennessee Youth Outdoor Jamboree

Seven years ago, what started as a dream for a small group of adults in the sleepy town of Kenton, Tennessee soon blossomed into the largest FREE outdoor event for kids in the world. The last two years have eclipsed the 2000 attendee mark.

Why We Do It?

The simple premise behind the event is to encourage the youth and their parents in our region to get involved in the positive family lifestyle of the great outdoors the Good Lord has blessed us with. We feel that this can curb the potentiality of negative peer pressure influencing our children into a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol or gangs. It will also pull their attention away from the video games and internet, while allowing them to explore the world of nature and enjoying fresh air and exercise.

Each year, a dedicated steering committee begins meeting three months prior to event day to work on planning and solicitations. Local and National businesses step in with donations of money, food and prizes. Each year, as the event grows, it becomes more difficult to put on financially. Our sponsors are directly responsible for the Jamboree's success. They believe as we do, that our kids are our most precious natural resource.

Who Helps Put It On?

This huge event would also be impossible to put on without the help from some outstanding organizations. The Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) has also gotten involved. Last year, they supervised the cooking and serving more than 2000 hungry people. This year, Executive Director Mike Butler has pledged a $2000.00 donation.

The TWRA has been on board with us since the event's inception. They supply the manpower and P.A system, as well as helping with many activities and prizes. Dave Gabbard and Jeff Martin, both TWRA employees have served as dedicated committee members for years. The Jamboree is the TWRA's - Annual West Tennessee Youth Event.

The biggest financial contributor is the National Wild Turkey Federation. They have donated $8000.00 last year and for the upcoming Jamboree. Out of this money a $1,000,000.00 liability insurance policy is also purchased.

Hooked on Scouting

In the summer of 2002, The Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) was invited to be a partner in the Middle Tennessee Hooked on Shouting Day. This event exposes 250-500 children (7-12 year old) to conservation and hunting and fishing. Other organizations helping partner for the event are the Sportsman's Alliance (formerly the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Boy Scouts of America, Middle Tennessee Region.

Since that first year, the relationship between TWF and the Boy Scouts has been one of an ongoing partnership to educate and provide resources to today's youth in efforts to further their knowledge and understanding of the outdoors, thus, molding them into wildlife and conservation stewards of tomorrow.

The day's festivities include opportunities for kids to fish, shoot BB guns and 22 rifles, learn outdoor cooking techniques, learn about conservation, and archery, among other things.

As a partner, TWF is asked to provide some volunteers for the event and to help host a station on conservation and some aspects of woodsmanship. These activities could include calling demonstrations, general conservation education, and other basic concepts of conservation and hunting and fishing.

This is a great opportunity for TWF to impact future outdoorsmen and women at an early age and educate them on the importance of conservation in a fun and relaxed setting. These children truly are the future of conservation and tie in perfectly to a segment of the Federations motto, "so the future may know the bounties of our past."