In November, I had the honor of hunting one afternoon with a bright-eyed and enthusiastic 11 year old named Levi. He seemed to have a genuine interest in learning to bowhunt and even showed me his pint-sized wheel bow to prove it. I offered to return a few days later with a recurve for him to try and assured him that after a lesson or two he might even favor traditional bows.
I came back to Levi's a few days later with my trad bows in hand and we spent several hours shooting. To say that he was hooked would be an understatement! What a joy to see so much enthusiasm!
After returning home, I sprang into action and promptly posted a WTB ad for a youth bow in the classifieds. It was quickly answered by Bow Loving Man (Barry)who offered to donate a 35# bow and some arrows to the "cause". When the bow and arrows arrived at my place about a week later, they were pristine and just perfect for a budding traditional bowhunter.
In order to round out the package, I added a back quiver, glove, armguard, stringer, and bow sock to Barry's gifts and got them ready for an early Christmas delivery.
I just returned home from Levi's and from delivering the gifts from his traditional bowhunting friends. I suppose I could try to describe this young man's excitement when he realized that all of this stuff was for him, but I think the picture says it best. And to top it off, he has just completed his hunter safety course and is planning on bowhunting for small game next Fall. Needless to say,I can't wait to watch Levi grow!
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/crestedshaft/LeviwithChristmasBowandAccessories.jpg)
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Claudia
Good Job!
SL
That's what it's all about! Great job!
Very nice to see a young fella holding a recurve with a big smile. My son just turned 11 and he's been shooting a recurve sence he was 6. always good to see! Jason
Way to go Pinecone! :archer:
My son is also named Levi, as hard as I tried couldn't keep him interested in bows after he discovered GIRLS!
However now that he will be 23 New Years Eve, he has decided they just want his money. He has started shooting recurves again and is now wanting a longbow.
I've offered to give him any of my longbows he would like. But he says they are all to heavy a draw for him.
Keep telling him he can work up to it, but he insists he needs one that wasn't mine.
Go figure.........
Don't worry Bawana...There will come a day when your son values having one of your longbows more than girls and money combined. Promise! :campfire: :) .
Claudia
Great job pinecone! We need to get all the young people we can into our great sport. :thumbsup:
Does it get any better than this? I don't think so.
I am so proud of you Bawana. Please give yourself a big ole pat on the back.
God bless,Mudd
Very cool!
:thumbsup:
Way to go Claudia and Barry!
You're right Claudia...the picture says it all!
Way to go, no other feeling like it, to get a new trad shooter started, see the glow on their face.
That's one Priceless smile on that young face, and it just warms the heart to see it. Thanks for Sharing!
I know this is a Christmas present for the lad. But, is it me or does it always seem like Christmas here on the gang? ;) The giving never ends.
Well done Claudia!!! Merry Christmas!!!
Mike
You are so right, Mike! The real joy is always in the giving and here on Tradgang, it simply never ends. :archer:
Claudia
Way to go Claudia!
You are correct that smile speaks volumes.
Levi will never forget that day!
Merry Christmas
Tater
thats such a wonderful thing to offer an intro like that ! we all should look for oportunities like this, thank you pinecone and wish levi good luck and happy hunting
Claudia, Barry, my hats off to both of you for the great thing you just accomplished! You are welcome at my table anytime! As so are many others on this site. :thumbsup: :notworthy:
a day he will never forget!!! :clapper:
AWESOME!!
The smile is worth a thousands words! Way to go Claudia!
Claudia,
You the man!! Uh, I mean woMAN! Barry would be the Man, LOL! Way to go!
way to go! awsome ,ya know that levi is gonna remember this day
Thanks Everyone. And yes, Hooked, Barry is definately THE MAN!!!!
Claudia
Very, Very cool Claudia :notworthy: :clapper:
Look at that Smile on Levi!!! Way to go Claudia, I was just paying it forward what has been done for me and many others... :bigsmyl:
Very good Claudia!! :clapper:
Thats awesome I'm 16 and named Levi lol.. that was awful nice of you
Awesome!!!! Just awesome!!
Well done,Claudia. It is something he will never forget.
Very nice, well done. Kids need role models and now days more than ever.
That is great Claudia. Puts a smile on my face too. Better people than on this site you will not meet.
Best wishes to Levi...have fun bud.
Claudia, what you and Barry have done for that young man is wonderful. Your caring act really brightened my day.
Gives me a tingle this morning 8^). That fellow will be hooked all of his life. It's folks like you, and many others who keep the sport growing Claudia. It's amazing what a little mentoring can for a young one. Maybe we will see a story in TBM one day about you and Levi 8^).
I was about the same age when I got my first recurve for a christmass present. If he feels half as excited as I did he won't be able to put it down for a long time and archery will be a part of his life always. Good work Pinecone. :thumbsup: :clapper:
Great doings, Claudia and Barry! And Levi looks like the right person to be on the receiving end of this kindness. Here is one happy kid, bundled up well against the cold in his Carhartts, standing in the snow with a beautiful recurve... with a bare arm and hand for shooting. Smiling like a mule eating briars!
I felt cold looking at it, but I bet he was warm from the inside out! Bless you all.
Killdeer :bigsmyl:
Well done Claudia, :bigsmyl: when I think of what your kind and generous act meant to Levi.
Many Blessings to You