Youth Outdoor Adventures field days set in Benge

Youth Outdoor Adventures (YOA) is an Oregon based non-profit organization that is a NRA endorsed and supported non-profit corporation that has been teaching young people about the outdoors for years. Jeff and Jennifer DuPont, the driving force behind YOA, bring the American Heritage of outdoor pursuits to many kids in Oregon and now want to bring this experience to the kids of Washington.

Blue Ridge Ranch, a group of farms and ranches in the Palouse area of Eastern Washington and Adams County, is dedicated to developing natural resource based products and activities to create economic sustainability in balance with environmental responsibility for perpetuation of the lifestyle, values and heritage of ranches and farms.

Blue Ridge Ranch is proud to host this YOA event on Saturday, Apr. 28 and Sunday, Apr. 29, near Benge on the Benge-Washtucna Road. The activities are located on the historic Bar U Ranch and Warm Springs Ranch near Benge. Other portions of the group’s ranches might also be utilized.

These field days are a one-day event, picking either Saturday or Sunday, structured for young people to get involved in the outdoors with experiences and skill training that give them a broad brush of exposure to some of our outdoor and shooting sports.

Schedule for a typical day:

• 8 – 9 a.m. check in and registration

• 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. morning session

• 12 p.m. lunch break (for participants and accompanying adults)

• 12:30 – 5 p.m. afternoon session

Upon starting the day, you and your child are introduced to the instructors and given instruction on the fundamental rules of safe firearm handling.

The areas of instruction include:

• Sporting clays

• Target shooting – introduction to small caliber firearms.

• Introduction to fly fishing

• A pheasant/Chukar hunt with dogs and handlers

Alternate activities (if weather becomes extremely inclement)

• Geo-Caching

• Introduction to archery

• Hunter safety cards optional

The suggested age for the field days is 9-17 years of age. Equipment, instruction and lunch are provided.

It is requested that there is one adult per two participants. Please come dressed for any of the weather conditions that spring can provide us. Cost per participant is $80.00.

For more information and to sign up contact Youth Outdoor Adventures, Jennifer DuPont, 541-390-0285 or by email, [email protected].

Blue Ridge Ranch is sponsoring two young people for the field days. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring a special individual or group of kids, please contact Gregg Beckley at Blue Ridge Ranch, 265 S. Beckley Rd, Benge WA 99105, home office 509-887-2335, shop 509-887-2418, [email protected].

For more information on YOA visit their website at www.oregonyoa.org. Blue Ridge Ranch can be viewed at www.blue-ridge-ranch.com.