McIntosh High School in Fayetteville, Georgia is leading the way when it comes to students with an affinity for the outdoors. Earlier this year coach Andy Smith started the first ever outdoors Campus Huddle for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and now two outstanding students and fishermen have won a National Title. The team of Dalton Anderson and Dawson Lenz, both from Peachtree City dominated the field recently with five bass weighing 16 pounds, 12 ounces on the last day to take the top honors at the inaugural The Bass Federation (TBF) High School Fishing National Championship on Lake Murray. For their efforts, the team won a $10,000 scholarship ($5,000 to each team member). Launched in 2011 by FLW and The Bass Federation Student Angler Federation, High School Fishing is the largest student-angler initiative in history. It offers students at more than 23,000 high schools across the United States and Canada the opportunity to compete in club, state, conference and national bass tournaments for the chance to earn college scholarships.
 

Every team participating in a state championship is also invited to compete in the High School Fishing World Finals, the largest tournament of its kind. Visit the HighSchoolFishing.org website for additional information.

With 6-8 weeks of school left and summer just around the corner. FCA Outdoors staff are picking up the pace on identifing Adult Chapters and Campus huddles. If you have interest in joining a Chapter or helping develop the leadership in your area click here! Leadership Interest Form 

The FCA Outdoors of South Carolina recently held a fundraisier with great results. Hank Parker and many other celebrities participated. Read more hear as written by Jeff Dennis.

With Bob Hodgdon of Hodgdon Powder as the keynote speaker for the RMEF Breakfast and Colton James providing music, a crowd of 160+ attended. More details to follow soon complete with pictures.

More Shot Show reports next week.

National Director Tim Eason, Shooting Sports Director Dennis Groce and Chuck Dick, a National Board  Member are currently traveling to the SHOT Show in Las Vegas. In hopes to connect partners to the ministry, the FCA Outdoors attendees are delivering an exciting message that should be an encouragement to the Shooting and Outdoors Industry. With a Recent Survey and Research Results in, FCA Outdoors has found that a major increase can be made in the introduction, participation and retainment of youth in outdoor sports such as shooting and hunting. Portions of the research provided by NSSF related studies indicated that the most likely area to see growth in shooting sports would be work related groups or FAITH Based/ Church affiliated groups. FCA Outdoors meets that criteria and has as its parent ministry FCA, who has been impacting lives with a faith based Christian message since 1954. In 2011, FCA reached over 2 million people and hosted over 50,000 athletes and coaches in summer camps.

Based on current data 11% of the nation's population has participated some way with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and 24% of the population are aware of the brand FCA. With a vast population familiar with FCA, FCA Outdoors seeks to plant adult chapters in this fertile ground, plant new Shooting Sports Teams through the new Fellowship of Christian Athletes Shooting Sports Program (FCASSP) and rejuvenate decreasing participation of outdoors activities as reported in over 33 states in the last 5 years. With over 7000 schools currently certified with FCA programs and 75% of the nation's 33,000 private schools religiously Christian affiliated, the future looks bright for FCA Outdoors and those industry partners who seek to impact the lives of our nation's youth. While increasing participation numbers in outdoors activities, FCA Outdoors will concentrate their time on what has brought them thus far; trusting God and seeking to impact lives for Jesus Christ through the influence of Athletes and Coaches.

While following the desire to fulfill the great commission found in Acts 1:8 and to reach others for Christ, the by product of increasing participation and having a larger platform to proclaim the message will certainly benefit industry partners. Making Time for the Traditions that made this country great certainly includes Faith, Family and the Outdoors. Come share the adventure with us today!

Look for Shot Show Updates soon.

FCA Outdoors Communication and Marketing - 1/16/2012

Coach  Andy Smith from McIntosh High School in Fayette County Georgia recently hunted with Hank Parker in South Georgia. Hosted by the Rock House Farm, Coach Smith was chosen for this hunt based on recommendations from FCA Staff and the outstanding Christian Leadership he exemplifies everyday to the students at McIntosh. As FCA seeks to minister to and through coaches of traditional sports, FCA Outdoors also seeks to serve as a tool to disciple coaches through outdoor experiences such as this hunt. New for 2012 is the Hog & Quail Coaches Hunt at the new FCA Outdoors Broad River Preserve. Keep up the great work Coach Smith and keep "Sharing the Adventure" of serving Christ on the field and in the field as an outdoorsmen!

Best of all, you can sign up online.  Consider the gift of an FCA Outdoors membership today for your children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, neighbors and hunting and fishing buddies.  Its a perfect gift for anyone of any age...and will help point them to the perfect gift of love that was given to us in Jesus Christ!

We are looking for 300 new committed National Members

to help us launch our new ministry plan for 2011-2012.

Are you being called to join us in the fight for today's youth and families.

If so click here for the complete details and downloadable brochure.