Post by: GAGalHunter on October 05, 2011, 03:17:43 PM
So, she gave me the story- no dad, his mother has like 7 kids and he's the youngest. Wanders around alone a lot and really loves to fish and wants to hunt. The Aunt feels sorry for him because his brothers dont do much with him, so she tries to help. Most of the older family is from Laos/Vietnam so there is a language barrier, but the kid speaks perfect English, carries around a little compass, a little thing of fishing tackle, and pocket knife- typical all American boy.
Now shes asking if I can take him hunting, or fishing, or if I can maybe teach him how to shoot a bow and arrow. I work a lot with disadvantaged youth, and I advocate strongly for everyday folks being mentors- because a mentor can make all the difference at that age. But Im hesitant to help out because I dont know, so many crazies in the world these days!! And if it were with school work or tutoring Id not think twice but when you add in bows and targets and stuff like that, I feel wary helping this little guy. But I also know how it feels to have a dead-beat dad. :'( My step-dad was the real man in my life.
If someone came up to you, asking for that kind of help with a kid, what would you do?? Bless his heart sounds like he's got it kinda rough. :dunno:
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 05, 2011, 03:36:32 PM
Post by: GAGalHunter on October 05, 2011, 03:55:06 PM
I know every family has their own issues, but with that many brothers and sisters, just sad no one has time to spend with him. I guess that happens sometimes. :(
But you know they say to payback the good bestowed on you, and Lord knows I had some folks help me along coming up. Actually I wish I could find some sort of youth archery group he could join. I think that would be better for him.
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 05, 2011, 04:03:16 PM
http://www.nfaa-archery.org/programs/asap/asap.cfm (http://www.nfaa-archery.org/programs/asap/asap.cfm)
You're a nice person to care about this kid.
Post by: gaddy on October 05, 2011, 04:07:43 PM
And good on you for being concerned about him, most anymore would just blow it off.
Post by: GAGalHunter on October 05, 2011, 04:12:05 PM
Thanks for that link, I think I might try to contact them and see what programs they might have :tup:
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 05, 2011, 04:13:50 PM
Post by: firefighter4607 on October 05, 2011, 04:31:33 PM
Post by: runamuk on October 05, 2011, 04:34:30 PM
Well I guess Im nice enough...thing is I see all these kids joining gangs and getting into trouble- and so many of them repeatedly say they join b/c they liked having a family around. I feel like if I crossed paths with this little youngun and he ended up in some trouble, Id have a hard time knowing I might couldve helped in some small way. He told me he thought game wardens were cool because they hunt and protect the animals- now who doesnt want to help a little hunter like that? As the old sayin goes you cant harvest the field without tending the crop. :)
Thanks for that link, I think I might try to contact them and see what programs they might have :tup:
you might check into big brothers and big sisters programs often you can use these groups to aid with the legal issues of mentoring...also 4-h even though it is typically a more rural notion these days they do operate over the us and an archery group if say you had a couple kids could easily be formed...call the extension office for your area...if seattle look up king county extension or 4-h extension......http://county.wsu.edu/king/Pages/default.aspx (http://county.wsu.edu/king/Pages/default.aspx) there saved you the hassle click that link and lots of info and if nothing seems close just fire an email to someone they usually are darn helpful...
Post by: GAGalHunter on October 05, 2011, 04:41:15 PM
And good suggestion on Big Brothers- I actually thought of that myself. I need to call or email them because I think they set the boys with guys and the girls with other ladies, but that'd be great if he could get placed with a big brother, sounds like he has no male role models in the family.
Wow why didnt I ask yall earlier? :brew:
Post by: dannysdaddy on October 05, 2011, 04:44:54 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 05, 2011, 05:48:53 PM
Post by: Forrestrover on October 07, 2011, 09:03:38 PM
Post by: lokidog on October 07, 2011, 09:33:12 PM
I did Big Bro, Big Sis for a few years and made a difference for a kid with a no-show dad and mostly worthless mom who was living with his grandmother. I helped him get through, his mom got cleaned up and now he is a well-adjusted decent young man.
Good luck!
Post by: boneaddict on October 07, 2011, 09:46:37 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on October 08, 2011, 06:20:49 AM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on October 08, 2011, 06:56:49 PM
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2011, 06:34:16 PM
Post by: ribka on October 09, 2011, 06:39:21 PM
BSA (Scouts) great organization too
Post by: GAGalHunter on October 10, 2011, 02:20:17 PM
I emailed his aunt a lot of the links, and turns out they went to the archery range down in Puyallup and he had a great time- how awesome is that? :) 8) I talked to her about Scouts as well. We are planning one Saturday to go fishing. My grandmother taught me to fish (as well as how to stump for worms!), so Im going to pass along a little generations old wisdom :)
What I think the BEST part of his story is that he will take what he learns from us- hunters and conservationists- back to his house, and to the culture that his parents and brothers and sisters grew up in. His aunt is so proud to have become a citizen of this country, and thinks its great her nephew has these opportunities. ONLY in America can a half-Native half-Scot southern gal round up her huntin' buddies to help a half-Laotian half-Vietnamese- but ALL American- boy!
There's a reason they call it the GREAT outdoors! :tup:
Thanks again guys n' gals! :hello:
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 10, 2011, 02:25:18 PM
Post by: boneaddict on October 10, 2011, 06:13:07 PM
Post by: Annette on October 10, 2011, 09:59:22 PM
Good advice everyone. You might be smart to meet his mother and get written permission to help him. be safe...Well I guess Im nice enough...thing is I see all these kids joining gangs and getting into trouble- and so many of them repeatedly say they join b/c they liked having a family around. I feel like if I crossed paths with this little youngun and he ended up in some trouble, Id have a hard time knowing I might couldve helped in some small way. He told me he thought game wardens were cool because they hunt and protect the animals- now who doesnt want to help a little hunter like that? As the old sayin goes you cant harvest the field without tending the crop. :)
Thanks for that link, I think I might try to contact them and see what programs they might have :tup:
you might check into big brothers and big sisters programs often you can use these groups to aid with the legal issues of mentoring...also 4-h even though it is typically a more rural notion these days they do operate over the us and an archery group if say you had a couple kids could easily be formed...call the extension office for your area...if seattle look up king county extension or 4-h extension......http://county.wsu.edu/king/Pages/default.aspx (http://county.wsu.edu/king/Pages/default.aspx) there saved you the hassle click that link and lots of info and if nothing seems close just fire an email to someone they usually are darn helpful...
Post by: Annette on October 10, 2011, 10:12:52 PM
Also there's a program called Washington Bowhunter Education.I am the state chairman and the schedual for classes will be comming out after January. It's a great class for any bowhunter and will give the student 10 years of knowage in about 12 hours!
Post by: KillBilly on October 13, 2011, 06:36:01 PM
It sounds like Killbilly has him hooked up with some great new gear if he just gets some specifics from you. He has hooked up with a sponsor/manufacturer for some great discounts. I really appreciate all of Killbillys efforts. He has done some outstanding things for some people on this site and he rarely gets any kudos or credits for it. In fact he'll probably beat me for even mentioning him. I hope you get back to him GaGal, so he can get that gear to him. The young man will be amazed at what a bunch of outdoorsman here at huntwa can put together. THanks Al for taking this by the horns. I can't wait for it to all come together.
Thanks Doug... I am still waiting for the info I need to make this happen.
Post by: boneaddict on October 17, 2011, 04:03:29 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 18, 2011, 07:22:40 AM
Post by: bear hunter on January 19, 2012, 12:19:28 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 19, 2012, 06:03:33 AM