Fishing For Life Metro Youth Camps

This Give to the Max Day (Thursday, November 20), we’re setting out to raise $10,000 to bring the joy of fishing and the outdoors to youth and veterans’ families right here in the Twin Cities — and thanks to a generous match, your gift will go twice as far.

Your generosity will make it possible for us to host three metro camps in 2026:

• A Twin Cities-based fishing camp during summertime
• A Twin Cities-based tent camping and fishing experience
• A Twin Cities-based ice fishing event

These camps give at-risk youth and veterans’ families the opportunity to experience community, mentorship, and the great outdoors — often for the very first time.

We’re deeply honored to share that the Kansanback family is matching all donations this year in loving memory of their son, Hayden Nelson.

“Fishing for Life stands out to us as a wonderful program and charitable organization for us to support in Hayden’s memory. We are honored to be matching the donations made during Give to the Max.

Hayden loved fishing, whether it be alone or with one of his buddies—on his boat or through a hole in the ice. If he had free time, it was a priority.

If he would have had the chance, he would have happily taken his boat out and mentored young anglers. We know he would have truly loved exposing and teaching young fishermen the sport he was so passionate about.

Hayden died unexpectedly in his sleep in 2024, a couple months before his 23rd birthday. A cause of death has never been determined, and we miss him tremendously. We know he would be proud of supporting Fishing for Life.”

Together, we can honor Hayden’s legacy and open the door to healing, connection, and hope through fishing.