It was a team effort and it was a huge success. This year we were approached by Mary and Jim Burns who graciously donated the use of their lovely ranch, Burns Hermitage, to HUNTER'S ALERT so that children could experience the outdoors in a positive educational weekend trip Next we needed to be certain that we had responsible instructors and chaperones for such an experience. We found those people in Pat and Bob Snider and Virginia Frehner. They were more than willing to involve themselves in the planning and execution of a new challenge. Next, there was the big question, funding.

That's when the surprise came. The hope was that the guests at the sixth annual HUNTER'S ALERT banquet would think the idea was a worthy one. The goal was to send six children at $300 per child donation. The response was overwhelming, so overwhelming that there wasn't enough time this summer to accommodate all who committed to the program.

The twelve children who did participate on two separate weekends came away from the experience with a very positive feeling on the outdoors. They had lessons in trap shooting, rifle shooting, archery and fishing. They enjoyed nature walks, game viewing, arrowhead hunting, compass reading, stargazing and survival orientation.

HUNTER'S ALERT owes a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in the planning and execution of the Burns Hermitage Outdoor Youth Experience. We know the children who benefited from the effort will long remember the experience and hopefully will be involved in outdoor activities in their teen and adult years.

Thanks to Mary and Jim Burns, Pat and Bob Snider, Virginia Frehner for their skills, their time and their efforts on behalf of the kids.

Thanks to the sponsors who so generously donated the funds to provide the kids with the opportunity: Judy and Tommy Ford, Virginia Frehner, Jim Guesman, John Muije, Nancy Nelson, Ed Pribyl, Bob Snider, SCI Desert Chapter.

Again, this experience demonstrates that hunters will open their hearts and wallets for a worthy cause!