Become A Certified Outdoor Mentor

Vision for the Certified Outdoor Mentor Initiative 

The vision for the Certified Outdoor Mentor Initiative is to provide the leadership (locally and nationally) necessary to motivate and empower our partners (existing outdoor organization, mentoring groups, corporations, and individuals) to train and provide Certified Outdoor Mentors across North America who will mentor and educate – coach inexperienced youths, adults and families (mentees) how to have success participating in traditional outdoor activities and sports like fishing, hunting, archery, etc., through fun hands-on outdoor educational experiences. To provide mentees with the resources and gear needed to participate, the social support necessary for continued participation, the outdoor education to be a good steward of our resources, to provide multiple outdoor experiences throughout every year (leaving them wanting for more). With our partners, the Certified Outdoor Mentor Initiative will leave a legacy of best outdoor mentoring practices, science-based interactive skills sets, and a sound educational background to build on a long-term commitment to the Certified Outdoors Mentoring Initiative that will increase participation in traditional outdoor activities and coming full circle as mentees develop into the next generation of outdoor mentors.

Why an Outdoor Mentor Initiative 

The old traditional system of the family spending time together participating in outdoor activities, or an older family member or close family friend taking youth out to participate and educate the youth in our traditional outdoor activities and sports like fishing, hunting, archery, and shooting sports is not happening as it did generations ago. This has created a generation gap, or more often a multiple generation gap of adults not taking youth outdoors and teaching youth our traditional outdoor activities and sports. This is the defining challenge of our times, to breathe new life into our outdoor traditions. Participation has been on a steady decline for years, due to numerous factors. Some of the most important reveal that the old system for bringing newcomers into these outdoors activities-sports has broken down:

• There are fewer available outdoor mentors who are related by blood to young beginners. In our modern society, and there is a shortage of trained adult mentors.

• Many parents feel unqualified to teach their own kids the basics of fishing, hunting, or a shooting sport.

• Lives are busier than ever, with more competing interests and organized activities filling up the schedules of youngsters and families.

• Access to “a good place to go” can be a huge hurdle to overcome.

• As a result, many potential beginners slip through the cracks. They struggle with the learning curve and “getting out” on an ongoing basis. Too many beginners are taken once, then released back into their non-fishing, non-hunting, non-shooting sports lives.

• Shrinking customer base threatens the very existence of equipment makers, state agencies budgets, conservation groups, outdoor media, guides, tourism, and the list goes on.

• Interest in the outdoors lies dormant. We need to break this cycle. We have to do more. For if we don’t provide the basics for outdoor participation and make a difference in an inexperienced youth or adult, then who will?

• There are positive life-changing benefits for individuals, and for the whole family that spends time together in the great outdoors. To watch families grow closer and bond over activities they can all participate in and do together is, I feel the greatest reason for this initiative. The outcomes I have witnessed have been remarkable! Outcomes - and a way of life this world very much needs now more than ever! 

“How To”

• Funding to build and grow the Certified Outdoor Mentoring Initiative through grants made available through DNR’s, and outdoor organizations and outdoor companies through sponsorships to cover the costs of building and grow the Certified Outdoor Mentoring Initiative nationally. Funding for all the equipment needed to educate the Certified Mentors and to provide and educate the mentees on how to have fun and success participating in traditional outdoor sports and activities.

• Recruit Outdoor Mentors and Mentees

                 o By partnering with existing youth, adult, and family organizations that provide

                     traditional outdoor activities and to help organizations that want to provide 

                     traditional outdoor activities by utilizing social media, and traditional media: 

                     press releases, articles, brochures, radio interviews, websites, email blasts, 

                     blogs, social networking, TV, and presentations to the general and outdoor 

                     public relaying the vision of the Certified Outdoor Mentoring Initiative and 

                     ”Why” the need for mentors.

• Inspire youths and adults with no or limited experience in the out-of-doors through multiple skills-building opportunities while providing: education, Certified Outdoor Mentors, resources, gear, multiple long-term fun outdoor activities which will mesh with today’s lifestyles.

• Train and Educate Outdoor Mentors and Mentees

                  o Tips Outdoors will train and certify existing employees or members and/or

                      provide Certified Outdoor Mentors to organizations, public and private 

                      entities that are providing or will be providing fun ongoing education for our

                      traditional outdoor activities and sports.

                  o The Certified Outdoor Mentors will educate mentees through ongoing fun 

                      hands-on outdoor skills-building experiences at events, and outdoor

                      educational opportunities provided by outdoors organizations and public

                      and private entities.

• Provide organizations such as, Wildlife Forever, Pheasants Forever, and other local, regional and national organizations, and future outdoor organizations with Certified Outdoor Mentors and/or mentor training of existing employees and/or volunteers to mentor the inexperienced youths/adults/families the organizations work with for their fun hands-on outdoor education and skills building, through multiple experiences, to encourage social support and the follow-up tracking necessary to create a self-sustained Certified Outdoor Mentoring Initiative.

If you would like additional information in regards to the Tips Outdoors Certified Outdoor Mentoring Initiative and Mentor Training please contact:

Mark Tipler

Executive Director

Tips Outdoors Foundation

P.O. Box 796

Lindstrom, MN 55045

Email: mtipler@tipsoutdoors.org 

Phone: 651-779-8216