Outdoor Dreams
Giving back through life-changing experiences
About Us
Our Mission
The mission of Outdoor Dreams is to make deserving children’s time in the outdoors a form of therapy, all while being an experience they will never forget. We do this by granting once-in-a-lifetime hunting, fishing, and backcountry experiences to deserving youth.
On a larger scale, Outdoor Dreams seeks to strengthen the heritage of hunting and related outdoor communities with the fulfillment of our mission.
Our primary focus is children 21 years old or younger who have (or have recovered from) a life-threatening illness, or who come from financially underprivileged households in need of mentoring and positive influence.
Our History
Founded in 2023, Outdoor Dreams is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donors can deduct contributions they make under IRC Section 170. As a public charity, we grant once-in-a-lifetime hunting, fishing, and backcountry experiences to deserving youth.
Our Team
Our founder and President, Conlan McConnell, has spent his lifetime in the outdoors in pursuit of wildlife and adventure. For the last decade, he has dreamt of giving back to the outdoor community by sharing his knowledge and skills to help deserving children find success in the field. “Success” can mean many things, and our intent is to identify what that means for every child we help. It may mean harvesting their first big game animal, experiencing the remote backcountry on horseback, or fishing the Pacific Ocean for salmon. Every dream is unique.
In 2017, Conlan was part of a hunt that would change the course of his life and motivate him to help kids get into the outdoors. Jayda Harmon was a young woman who had late-stage terminal bone cancer, and with the help of Vice President Tino Villaluz, Conlan had the opportunity to assist her in finding success on a trophy Roosevelt bull elk. That hunt made Conlan realize that he was destined to share his knowledge of the outdoors by helping deserving children find success in the field.
Fulfilled Dreams
Ryker’s Hunt to Remember
We are honored to share the story of 15-year-old Ryker Rush, a remarkable young man whose strength and determination shine as brightly as his passion for the outdoors. In July 2021, Ryker underwent surgery at Seattle Children’s Hospital to remove a large cancerous brain tumor. After enduring chemotherapy and treatment, he is now in remission,…
Avah’s Ocean Adventure
We are so excited to share the unforgettable fishing adventure Avah and her family recently experienced with the incredible crew at WindSong Charters. Two years ago, Avah became Outdoor Dreams’ very first dream when she harvested her bull elk, and we wanted to do something special for her again. This time, the goal was a…
Bentley’s Elk Hunt at the N Bar Ranch
Hunting isn’t just about taking a shot; it’s about patience, learning, and embracing the journey. For 13-year-old Bentley, this experience was about more than just harvesting an elk; it was a chance to challenge himself, embrace an adventure, and soak in everything the outdoors had to offer. Bentley has faced significant loss, losing both of…
Nolan’s Montana Adventure
Stories like Nolan’s are why we do what we do at Outdoor Dreams. His unrelenting positivity and determination remind us of the incredible power of resilience and hope. If you’re inspired by his journey, we’d love for you to follow our page, share this post, and join us in making dreams come true for more…
Austin’s Dream Elk Hunt
If this story resonates with you, please consider supporting Outdoor Dreams in any way you can. Whether through donations, volunteering, submitting an eligible child, or helping us create life-changing outdoor experiences for these incredible kids, every contribution makes a difference. Together, we can give them the adventures they deserve. Visit us at OutdoorDreams.us Austin has…
Roman’s Dream November
This November, 16-year-old Roman achieved a lifelong dream: a big game hunting adventure made possible by Outdoor Dreams. Roman’s journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. Born with spina bifida, he has faced challenges like mobility limitations, hydrocephalus, and kidney failure, requiring nightly dialysis. He is also currently on the kidney transplant list,…
Braedon’s Ocean Adventure
We are thrilled to share the incredible adventure Braedon recently experienced on his dream fishing trip, thanks to the amazing team at WindSong Charters. Braedon and his father Tim embarked on a memorable salmon and halibut fishing journey out of Neah Bay, WA, and the day couldn’t have been more perfect. Their trip took them…
Waylon’s Salmon fishing dream
Meet Waylon from Raymond, WA! 🐟 Waylon is a remarkable 8-year-old who has shown incredible strength in the face of adversity. Just one week after his 5th birthday, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, requiring three major surgeries to partially remove the tumor and relieve pressure in his brain. Despite facing paralysis from two…
