Opportunities That Shape Our Youth
Because of your generosity, Kicking Bear continues to provide life-changing experiences for kids across the country through our Adventure Camps, One-on-One Mentorship, and Youth Hunts.
Of these, the Youth Hunts hold a very special place in our hearts. They provide something that’s increasingly rare in our fast-paced world — the gift of time. Time to sit together in the quiet of the woods. Time to listen, to share, and to grow deeper in relationship with the kids we serve.
In those quiet hours, our mentors have the chance to open conversations about both the good and the hard things in life. It’s also a space where we can share God’s Word and our own stories of faith, pointing each young person toward Christ.
One of our mentors shared it best:
“It’s our job to carry them to Christ until they are able to go to Him on their own.”
This past weekend, one of our young participants, Jayla, reflected on her first bear hunt with Kicking Bear. She told her small group that she initially felt unworthy to have been chosen — that so many other kids could have gone instead. Yet by the end of the experience, she was filled with humility, joy, and gratitude, realizing she had done something she never believed she was brave enough to do.
Thanks to your support, Jayla gained not just a new skill, but a sense of courage, confidence, and belonging. Her story is a beautiful reminder of why your partnership matters.
Please enjoy Jayla’s story below:
My Bear Hunt
By Jayla Zwart
We started by loading all our gear into the truck at Justin’s work. It was a really long drive, and Anna and I got a little bored along the way. When we finally arrived, we went straight to bed—but we couldn’t stop laughing that night before we fell asleep.
The next morning came early, and even though we were tired, we got up and got going. On the drive to meet the dogs, Anna and I were so excited. While checking the bait, one of the dogs caught a scent and took off running. Before long, they had a bear treed! Everyone started cheering—it was so thrilling!
The hike through the mud and fallen branches was tough, and Anna and I kept tripping. When it was time to take the shot, I was nervous, but I got a perfect shot through the heart. Once the bear was down, the dogs went to tug at it. We took some amazing pictures and started to field dress it. It was kind of gross—but also fascinating!
Since it was Brian’s dad’s birthday, he marked a blood cross on my forehead, which felt really special. Later, we got to see the baby hounds—they were so cute! We spent the rest of the night snuggling them and laughing together.
It was such an incredible experience. I’m so grateful to Anna, Eli, Justin, Brian, and all the houndsmen who made it possible. I’ll remember this forever!
Because of you, stories like Jayla’s are possible. Your continued support helps us reach more kids, give them meaningful outdoor experiences, and ultimately guide them toward a relationship with Christ.
Thank you for being part of the Kicking Bear family and for helping us change lives — one adventure at a time. |
