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Mandy Harling JAKES Coordinator |
Through the eyes of a child
Our Youth Our Legacy. It isn't just a theme for our National Convention and Sport Show, it's the focus of the NWTF's JAKES program and our newest initiative, JAKES Take Aim. But this year, more than ever before, our convention was peppered with activities for youth, led by youth.
I had the unique perspective of experiencing it through the eyes of my seven-year-old son, as he attended for the first time. From the moment I greeted him in the Gaylord Opryland lobby and saw the reflection of waterfalls and glass sculptures in his wide eyes, I imagined what it must be like to experience such a beautiful, especially at 3 feet tall. When I hugged him, he whispered how excited he was to be in the nicest hotel in the world.
And when I caught up with him after the Welcome Party, he and my in-laws were nearly speechless at the magnitude of our convention, and our organization for that matter.
Afterwards we stood in the lobby and spoke to countless volunteers and friends I've made through the years. My son wanted to know how I could possibly know so many different people from all over the country. I explained that we, the NWTF, are like a big family.
This year was particularly exciting as we unveiled our beautiful new JAKES Take Aim trailers. I even had the chance to personally thank Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA, for their donation to the program that will introduce 150,000 youth to shooting. We also had the two leading air gun manufacturers on hand to display their products and portable ranges.
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New JAKES logo The NWTF unveiled the new JAKES program logo at it's national convention. |
While reviewing the Crosman range and hearing the ting of targets falling, the instructor paused to inform me that the current shooter had visited the range a total of 16 times throughout the weekend. When I looked down, my eyes met a gregarious, snaggle-tooth grin of a small child wearing a hat that read "Shoot like a girl." I could identify with the emotions behind a successful shot, only I was in my 20s before I knew the feeling. I would be willing to bet that she will be a shooter for life.
Before my family loaded up to make the long trek back to South Carolina, I walked a portion of the expansive exhibit hall with them. I was surprised to see that many exhibitors in The Roost, the children's area of the exhibit hall, welcomed my son and in-laws by name. Apparently this wasn't his first time shooting at the archery and air gun ranges, casting one of their fishing rods, or making animal tracks.
A special friend in the industry gave him a slate call as we left the convention. He practiced that call every day since leaving Nashville, counted down the days until turkey season and couldn't wait to get in the woods and show off his calling skills.
I hope that he, like many other youth who attended our convention or one of our JAKES events across the country, will carry on our legacy and one day have a similar experience as they introduce their children to our sport and our organization. — Mandy