ABOUT THE MOUNTAINTOP CHAPTER
The Catskill Mountains chapter of Polestar-Outdoors was started in 2013, with the same burden and drive as the chapters in Wyoming. We want to see teenagers successfully navigate through life's challenges as upstanding young men and women.
Our primary goals and objectives are as follows:
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Recruit youth (male and female // ages 11-18) into the hunting, shooting, fishing, camping, and hiking sports
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Educate youth in sound conservation practices, sportsman's ethics, landowner relations, and related issues
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Educate youth in outdoor safety and renewable resource management
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Teach Constitutional principles as expounded by the First and Second Amendments (specifically), and how they apply to the Hunting and Fishing sports
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Instill Patriotic Values and encourage development of strong,
upright citizens -
Instill the Judeo-Christian Values that we believe this country
was founded upon
THE BEGINNINGS
Wes Vining and Ron Vining founded Polestar-Outdoors upon the belief that adults could connect with teenagers through the outdoors, setting a positive example and making a permanent impact, both relationally and spiritually.
to find out more on their story, be sure to check out www.polestar-outdoors.org/About_Us.html
Catskill Mountains chapter:
Chapter Coordinator Ryan Dempsey, moved from Wyoming (base of operations for Polestar-Outdoors) to the Maplecrest-Windham area in the Catskill Mountains. Ryan is a product of the principles and elements used in Polestar-Outdoor's philosophy. Having never hunted before, or spent much time outdoors, Ryan soaked it all in when he met his wife, Alisa, and co-founder Ron Vining.
Fully believing in the philosophy and heart behind Polestar-Outdoors, Ryan and Alisa brought it with them. Having just mentioned this idea to a few individuals around the mountaintop, it became apparent how desperate a need there is for Polestar-Outdoors.
Ryan Dempsey and one of his sons.
"It hasn't been the hunts I've been a part of that have made the most impact. It's been learning what it really means to be a man. Not this cheap imitation that you find today, but the old school meaning of a man. Responsible, hard working, and tough as saddle leather. Back then, they were wise, they stood for something worth standing for, and they took care of their families. That's what I want to pass on to my sons. Today's society doesn't need more of what it's got now, it needs men to be men, and that's just what Ron and Wes have shown me, and what they put into Polestar-Outdoors." -Ryan
PHOTOS: Many of the photos used throughout our site are compliments of Greg Wise @ wiseguy photography. If you would like to see additional photos, check out 'Beauty of the Bighorn Basin' on facebook.