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
Stevie’s First Elk Hunt
Last weekend we had the opportunity to spend time in the field with 20 year old Stevie from North Idaho. Stevie spent nearly a year fighting through treatment after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Three months of that time was spent in Seattle where he was treated at Seattle Children’s…
Landon’s Dream Elk Hunt on the N Bar
Landon’s elk hunt at the N Bar was one of those experiences that grounded everyone involved and reminded us exactly why Outdoor Dreams exists. Landon is a 14-year-old from Arkansas who lives and breathes the outdoors. Hunting and fishing are not just passions for him, they are part of his family’s way of life. The…
Anthony’s WA Elk
Last month we had the opportunity to spend time in the field with 16 year old Anthony from Shelton, Washington. Anthony is currently battling osteosarcoma that has metastasized to his lungs. On July 16th he underwent a full leg amputation and is now back in chemotherapy as doctors work to shrink the cancer. Like so…
Alex the Sniper
Last week at the N Bar, we watched Alexzandria do exactly what she has always done in life, show up calm, prepared, and strong when it mattered most. We spotted the elk from over half a mile away and made a careful stalk in, using steady terrain and a constant 20-30 mph Montana wind to…
Wesley’s Dream Elk Hunt
Many of you will remember Wesley from his first hunt with us back in November, when he took his very first deer. At the time, that hunt represented something far bigger than filling a tag. Wesley lives with a complex medical history that has shaped nearly every part of his life, including reduced vision and…
Wesley the Miracle Kid
Meet Wesley, a young man whose entire life has been defined by beating the odds. Wesley is a 20-year-old from Roberts, Montana, and calling him “remarkable” barely scratches the surface. Born in 2005 and given just six months to live, Wesley endured 31 surgeries, had no functioning immune system for most of his childhood, and…
Hunter Goes Fishing!
Hunter is a bright, outgoing 10-year-old who loves fishing more than anything. He lives with Asperger’s, ADHD, mild Tourette’s Syndrome, and learning disabilities, but nothing stops his passion for being on the water. His dream is to one day become a game warden so he can protect the wild places he loves most. This summer,…
Waylon’s Dream Elk
Last year, we shared how Waylon found joy fishing the ocean while battling a brain tumor. Now at 9 years old, Waylon’s journey continues to be full of challenges and courage. His tumor has returned, bringing new difficulties, yet he still practices football with his teammates each afternoon and faces life with determination well beyond…
