Sean McLelland

Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation, the leading provider of outdoor skill, safety and conservation curriculum to schools nationwide, has received a $100,000 grant from the International Order of T. Roosevelt to fund a partnership aimed at raising youth awareness and education about wildlife conservation.

“This dynamic partnership between two leading conservation organizations is an ideal match,” OTF Executive Director Sean McLelland said. “Through it, we’ll work together to engage youth in outdoor education across the country. OTF’s Outdoor Adventures curriculum is used in schools in 47 states, making it a perfect partner for IOTR to achieve its goal of furthering wildlife conservation.”

McLelland accepted the grant at IOTR’s Naples, Florida, gathering in late April.

“As the nation’s premier conservation group, The International Order of T. Roosevelt is proud to partner with Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation to reach future outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen,” IOTR Executive Director Luke Hilgemann said. “Through this partnership, we can educate the next generation about the importance of the conservation lifestyle so that we may protect our heritage well into the future.”

OTF operates through its Outdoor Adventures program, a fun, interactive course where students are taught lifelong skills using an integrated, 34-unit curriculum comprised of math, science, writing and critical thinking skills. The 300 detailed lesson plans cover angler education, archery, hunter education, boater education, orienteering, survival skills, camping, outdoor cooking, challenge courses, backpacking, mountain bike camping, paddle sports, rock climbing, shooting sports, CPR/first aid and fauna, flora and wilderness medicine. OA teachers can pick units specific to their region and local ecosystems.