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| About Us
What is STEP OUTSIDE?- STEP OUTSIDE is a program that encourages outdoor enthusiasts
to welcome friends, family and special guests to
share in the outdoor experience. STEP OUTSIDE challenges each & every
outdoorsman and outdoorswoman to make a pledge
to introduce a newcomer to target shooting, archery, hunting or fishing.
Where is STEP OUTSIDE located?- STEP OUTSIDE is located in Newtown, Connecticut. We
are housed in the headquarters of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Our address is:
STEP OUTSIDE
11 Mile Hill Road
Newtown, CT 06470
How is STEP OUTSIDE funded?- The entire program is strictly grant-funded. Currently,
the following organizations have awarded grant money to STEP OUTSIDE:
The National Shooting Sports Foundation
For some 35 years, the NSSF has led the industry effort
to build a positive future for the hunting and shooting sports throughout
America. By creating and supervising award-winning marketing and communication
programs, NSSF helps create a better understanding of recreational
uses of firearms and promotes a more active participation in all of
the shooting sports. The mission of the NSSF is to undertake the large
and complex public relations and promotional efforts necessary to bring
a positive message about the shooting sports to the news media, to
a new generation of shooters and to decision-makers on all levels.
NSSF is the shooting sports industry's largest and most diverse trade
organization, with more than 1,200 members representing the manufacturing,
distributing and retailing segments of our industry. The NSSF also
supports the U.S. Shooting Team and the U.S. Biathlon Association and
is the International Hunter Education Association's largest grantor.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Federal
Aid
STEP OUTSIDE has received grants from the administrative
funds and multi-states grant program through the
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs administered
through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Funding for these programs
comes from a federal excise tax placed on shooting, archery, hunting,
and fishing equipment.
Key Personnel- Melissa Schilling - National
Coordinator
“With my personal interest in active enjoyment of the outdoors,
I look forward to utilizing my knowledge to continue to develop
and expand the program.”
Schilling served NSSF for two years in a variety of responsibilities,
most recently as the public relations specialist. Prior to that, in the
programs department and assisted in coordinating STEP OUTSIDE partner
events, the Hunting Heritage Partnership program and other recruitment
and retention efforts.
Schilling is a graduate from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, with
a BA in public relations and multimedia communication.
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History of STEP OUTSIDE - The original idea of STEP OUTSIDE was conceived at the
first Shooting Sports Summit held in 1996. Key players from the industry,
including manufacturers, retailers, media, government and non-profit organizations,
attended the summit to work collectively on issues of the shooting sports.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the Archery Manufacturers
and Merchants Organization (AMO) spearheaded the development of the STEP
OUTSIDE concept. Over the past several years, the financial sponsors of
the program included NSSF, AMO, Wildlife Forever, Dr. Christine Thomas,
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Financial sponsors for 2001 include
NSSF & USFWS.
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