Champion Outdoors

New Regs for Texas Hunters
April 24, 2022
GOING COASTAL by Kelly Groce
April 24, 2022

Passion Turns to Purpose

Story of a Real Outdoors Woman by Jennifer MacNaughton

WHEN RECALLING my youth, the most positive memories from childhood involve the outdoors. As I grew into adulthood, I often returned to local lakes, parks and hiking trails to reconnect with myself.

Every moment I was able to spend in nature only grew my passion for the outdoor lifestyle. I longed for more, not just for my own family, but also to serve the community.

Jenn caught and released this big flounder in 2021.

The author caught and released this big flounder in 2021.
(Photo: Jennifer MacNaughton)

In 2016 I made a commitment to get certified through Texas Parks and Wildlife and began a youth outdoor fishing program. In the past six years my children and I have grown our program to include archery, camping and basic camping and day trip adventures.

Connecting with our youth and grounding them to nature has grown my passion even more. It has built a stronger bond between me and my own children.

I find myself looking for any opportunity to get outdoors and bring as many families with me as I can. We have adopted a mindset of tackle boxes over x-boxes. We love seeing our families go hours without reaching for electronics.

Unplugging from the cyber-driven world, and plugging into each other is priceless. Creating these opportunities to share the love of the outdoors has become my mission and purpose.

As I find myself reminiscing about long summer days at the lake as a child, fishing and playing along river banks, I feel even more compelled to pass this love to the next generation.

Jenn's first outdoors love is fishing from her kayak.

Jenn’s first outdoors love is fishing from her kayak.
(Photo: Jennifer MacNaughton)

The connection of one’s soul to Earth is not easily explained, but overwhelming to experience. The common bond across generations and connecting to something bigger than me continue to drive my passion.

On a personal level, the water is where I connect the most. There is a certain peace and calmness that comes over me when I enter the water.

Usually by kayak, sometimes by boat, and occasionally on a wade, I take any opportunity to cast a line. There is a deep connection, and unspoken healing I experience when I am fishing

Generationally, I come from a long line of fishermen. I feel that connection to my ancestry. I feel well, balanced and real when I am out on the water.

We all have that in us, some of us spend a lifetime searching for it. The IT for me is my passion turned to purpose. The love for the outdoors and the desire to share it with community, family and friends is my driving passion.

I am one step closer to being whole with every cast. The truth is we never really know when our next trip will be our last.

 

—story by JENNIFER MACNAUGHTON

 

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