Community Service & Scholarships

As a 501c3 non-profit corporation, the Association has a long history of community service and charitable work. From the outset, our members have volunteered as instructors with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife providing the community with Hunter and Trapper Safety courses. Thousands of students have attended our classes through the years, all free of charge.

Early on, the club began providing camp scholarships for local youth, with most attending the various outdoor skills programs offered at the now closed Greenland Point Center in Princeton, Maine. Given the historically depressed economy of the area, many young people, who otherwise would not have had the opportunity, were able to attend these programs.

Over the years we expanded the scope of our scholarship programs and began to provide support for other non-profit community service organizations. In addition, we partner with other organizations to provide programs which are of benefit to the community.

Funding for our programs is in large part derived from member donations and fund raising, such as our annual custom knife raffle. Donations are tax deductible.

Academic Scholarship Program: Each year the club awards the $1000.00 Harland Hitchings Conservation Scholarship to a matriculating student from one of four area high schools. It is awarded to a student who intends to pursue secondary education in a conservation oriented field. Selection is based on judging of a short essay submitted by the applicant by our Scholarship Committee.

Programs we support:

• Downeast Salmon Federation River Camp with monetary support and as our guests at the annual Puckerbrush Primitive Gathering.
• Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Recreational Safety Programs with volunteer staff, equipment, and use of our facilities.
• Maine Search and Rescue Dogs, with monetary support.
• Local Scouting programs with monetary support and use of our facility.
• 4-H Programs with monetary support, volunteer staff, and use of our facility.
• Epping Fire District with monetary support.
• Annual Youth Field Day with free outdoor activities and lunch for area youth.
• Harland S. Hitching Scholarship
• In addition, we provide a venue for Federal, State, and local law enforcement training.