MCH youth creates lifelong memories on first hunting trip

Aman with a European mount of his aoudad.

Standing proudly with his trophy, Aman holds a European mount of the aoudad he shot during a recent hunting trip to Mason, Texas, with Operation Orphans. A local taxidermist, Joe Avelos Taxidermy, donated the mount to the youth who got the largest animal of the season.

Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) youth attend the Operation Orphans and Tri-County Methodist Men hunting trips each year. These organizations have a long history with MCH. Operation Orphans started their ministry in 1960 and the Tri-County

Methodist Men began a partnership with MCH around 30 years ago by avid MCH supporter Thurman Head.

Aman has lived on the MCH Waco campus since 2010, but he said this trip was his first hunting experience.

“It was fun,” Aman said. “I took a hunting class before the trip, but I have never gone hunting. I was scared at first, but then I got used to it.”

Beth Harris, Waco campus recreation director, said in order for MCH youth to attend a hunting trip, they must complete the Texas Hunter Safety Course first.

“The students go through the course to learn safe and ethical ways to hunt before they go on a trip,” Harris said. “They learn responsibility and are able to create a connection with nature through these hunting trips.”

Harris added that the relationship-building aspect of the hunting trips is also an important factor.

“The youth build healthy relationships with their guides and hosts who give them one-on-one attention all day and really make the youth feel special,” Harris said.

Aman said his guide was experienced and had been on many hunting trips throughout the years, adding that his favorite part of the trip was the learning experience.

“I’ll probably go again this year,” Aman said. “The food was great too!”

Definitely a bonus to the trip, Aman said the meals prepared for the hunters were more than satisfying.

Paying it forward, the harvested game from each hunting trip is processed to provide food for families. Operation Orphans and the Tri-County Methodist Men donate the meat to local communities in need of food.

A memorable experience for Aman, he said his aoudad mount is hanging in the main office of his home unit.

“I’ll keep it to always remember this experience,” Aman said.

Click here to learn more about Operation Orphans.
Click here to link to our recent story about the Goldthwaite Hunt in Sunshine magazine.