Goals

Enhancing Programs – The Salvation Army Outdoors initiative comes alive through existing Character Building, Community Center, Day Camp, and Summer Camp programs. Leaders are always looking for new ideas, experiences, and materials that their youth will love. Science-based, conservation educational curricula like Growing Up Wild and Project Learning Tree provide hundreds of tried and tested ideas and activities that engage youth.

Equipping Leaders – New and seasoned leaders need to be encouraged and equipped. The Salvation Army Outdoors Field Training events are designed to introduce leaders to the initiative while providing practical training and skills, such as: Conservation Educational Curricula, Basic Archery Instructor, Camping, Basic Air Rifle Instructor, Pioneering, Geocaching, Fishing, Boating and more.

Engaging Friends – The Salvation Army Outdoors initiative would not be possible without the help of vested partners and friends who share a love for God’s creation. One of our strongest partners has been Safari Club International Foundation. They have come alongside The Salvation Army to help with funding, introductions to prospective partners, and hands-on training.

Other partners include: MI DNR, Pheasants Forever, Council for Environmental Education, US Forestry Service, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shop and many more. One of our partners said, “If you need help, all you need to do is ask.” If you would like to get involved with The Salvation Army Outdoors, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The Salvation Army has formed partnerships with The National Archery in Schools Program (NASP®) and Safari Club International (SCIF) to make recreational and competitive archery available to local corps and community centers.

Contact your Divisional Youth Secretary for more information about how to get started.

Archery

Archery provides a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages, sizes, athletic abilities, and physical capabilities to build developmental assets. It helps to create a framework for
growth in areas such as support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, and constructive use of time.

The sense of community developed through participation in an archery club can be an effective means for attracting new members for other corps programs. Corps have used community based archery to expand and enhance day camp programs, women’s ministries (focus group), after-school and youth programs. The spiritual component based on the National Archery in the Schools Program model that works alongside community based archery makes this an ideal means of evangelism.