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
Braedon’s First Elk Hunt
We are incredibly proud to share the extraordinary experience of Braedon’s first elk hunt—a journey defined by determination, patience, and an unforgettable triumph. At just 16 years old, Braedon has faced more obstacles than many of us could ever imagine. He lives with Alström Syndrome, a rare and complex genetic disorder that affects multiple organs,…
Casey’s incredible day on the ocean
With the help of our good friends David and Shay Ellis at Wind Song Charters, Outdoor Dreams was able to fulfill Casey’s dream of salmon fishing the Pacific Ocean, and what an experience he had! Casey spent the day near Cape Flattery, WA with his mom Shawna, fishing for salmon, lingcod, and sea bass, and…
Nick perseveres to harvest his dream elk
It is with incredible pride that I have the opportunity to tell you about Nick and his first successful elk hunt. Nick spent a total of 7 days with Outdoor Dreams’ President & Founder Conlan McConnell and board member Tino Villaluz chasing elk in Western Washington, and eventually was able to pull the trigger on…
Lane Doubles Up on Elk in Montana
It is with incredible pride that I have the opportunity to tell you about Lane and his first successful elk hunt. Not only was Lane able to take a cow elk on his recent trip to Montana, but Outdoor Dreams helped him harvest two in a matter of seconds! This extraordinary experience is one that…
Paul’s First Elk – From Virginia to Montana
On behalf of Outdoor Dreams, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Josh and Tamarel Sanofsky with the 3 Bar Ranch and Justin Taylor and the N Bar Ranch. You provided the opportunity for a young man from Virginia to harvest his first cow elk. Without your time and willingness to help,…
Nick’s first buck: A break from his dream of hunting elk
We are very excited to be a part of Nick taking his first big game animal and the opportunity to mentor him in the outdoors. Nick is an incredible young man and so deserving of this experience, not to mention any success he has in life going forward. Although this is not Nick’s ‘dream’ hunt…
Ruben’s day on the Ocean
With the help of our good friend David Ellis at @reelnorthwestfishingcharters , Outdoor Dreams was able to fulfill Ruben’s dream of fishing the ocean and what an experience he had! Ruben spent the day near Port Angeles, WA with his dad Craig and sister Maggi, fishing for bottom fish, and man did he have a…
Avah’s First Elk Hunt – Outdoor Dreams’ inaugural dream
It is with incredible pride that I have the opportunity to tell you about Avah and her first successful big game hunt. Avah is an 11 year old two time cancer survivor, and thankfully her leukemia is now in remission. Avah has spent many weeks in Seattle Children’s Hospital with their incredible staff all working…
