Donald Meadows is a recent graduate of the 2022 AWLN Program. A graduation ceremony was conducted on September 24, 2022 for program participants. Participants were asked to present ideas for community service projects that they felt could be implemented that would increase community education and awareness of the outdoor environment and what it has to offer.

Donald’s project was based on the concept of Positive Exposure and Therapy. His desire is to “introduce and expose minority and underprivileged youth, their families, and peers to outdoor activities in order to better understand, appreciate, and take advantage of experiencing what Our God has provided for us to benefit from and enjoy.” Some the outdoor activities Donald suggested were hunting, fishing, boating, and hiking. He feels that one of the benefits of exposing minority and underprivileged youth to these types of activities would help to build their interest and exposure to various careers in these areas, such as Department of Natural Resource Officers, Game Wardens, Marine Biologist, Oceanographers, and many others. Positive communication and family bonding are some of the other benefits from this exposure to help provide wholesome options to excessive video game playing, participation in gangs, drugs and other bad influences.

Donald believes his ultimate objective in suggesting this project is to “raise a generation of happy, well adjusted, educated urban young men and woman who will positively impact American society and make their parents and others proud of their accomplishments.”

Donald’s whole presentation can be viewed below.