Ted Nugent has much to celebrate this year. A wildly successful summer tour. A groundbreaking new podcast. And now, the 30th anniversary of the Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids.

Founded in 1989 shortly after the death of his friend and hero Fred Bear, Nugent launched the non-profit Kamp to teach kids about the healing powers of nature, the natural highs and stimuli of an outdoor lifestyle, and the definitive discipline of the “aim small, miss small” mystical flight of the arrow for a higher level of awareness and ultimate quality of life. The Kamp is a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and is run by qualified families and individuals who deeply care about children and their futures. To date, Kamp for Kids has improved the lives of more than 15,000 kids and their families.

“We believe it’s important for kids to experience ‘life beyond the pavement.’ Our wildly popular Kamps teach the universally inspiring mystical flight of the arrow archery discipline, the aim small miss small discipline of firearms safety marksmanship, basic first aid, survival skills and so much more! It’s about teaching these kids to be assets to their lives, their families, their communities and nature,” said Nugent. 

“Our volunteers have helped change lives every year, and we hear from many of our Kampers about the lifelong lessons learned, and friendships forged during Kamp,” states Nugent.

Tom O’Neil attended TNKFK nearly 20 years ago, and is a case in point. “I met one of my best friends, Brett Moderow, at Kamp.” Still best friends today, O’Neil elaborates, “We were in each other’s weddings and continue to hunt and fish together all the time. The most important lesson from Kamp that has stuck with me to this day is learning to respect nature, the outdoors, animals and safety. In order to continue to enjoy all these things, respect is a must,” emphasizes O’Neil.

Moderow asserts, “The Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids taught me how to enjoy the outdoors and everything that comes with it. I encourage parents to get their kids involved in the outdoors. My life pretty much revolves around it.”

Raegan Bender, a recent Gold Medalist in the World Archery Youth Championships, has been a volunteer at the Omaha TNKFK the last two years. “The Kamp teaches kids that there are other things to do outside of social media and video games,” notes Bender. “I have learned that regardless of where you come from, nature should be a big part of everyone’s life.”

Nugent couldn’t agree more. “As parents, we should demand the inclusion of nature and wildlife biology as part of a regular curriculum in our educational system. Each of us can and must reach out further and more often to bring as many children as we can into the great outdoors for family, shooting and camping activities.”

Started in Michigan, Kamp has expanded to include sessions in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado and South Dakota.

Sponsors are needed for the 2020 Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids. Donations of sporting goods and supplies are now being accepted. If you would like to sponsor a child, or make a tax-deductible contribution, make your check or money order payable to: Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids, 4008 W. Michigan Avenue, Jackson, MI 49202.

For additional information on TED NUGENT, visit: www.TedNugent.com and www.Facebook.com/TedNugent