2026 Adventure Photos
We’re thrilled to share that 11‑year‑old Jonas Rigo has returned from his Lake Vermilion Houseboats adventure — and he had an incredible time.
Jonas was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at birth, and he’s spent his life navigating daily treatment and medication. Despite those challenges, he approaches every day with remarkable strength and positivity.
During his adventure, Jonas explored the lake, enjoyed time on the houseboat and spent a couple great days on the water fishing with guides Justin Chromy of Patriot Guide Service and Bill Nieters.
Jonas made memories that will stay with him forever.
Elijah Martindale of Elk River is back from his fishing adventure at Thunderbird Lodge on Rainy Lake, and what a trip it was!
Elijah has already faced more medical challenges than most people see in a lifetime, but out on the water he got the chance to relax, recharge and make some incredible memories. Just look at the trophy northern!
Huge thank‑you to the team at Thunderbird Lodge for helping make this adventure special.
Welcome back, Elijah — Congratulations!
Our adventure recipient Richard Dominguez Hernandez recently returned from an unforgettable week on Devil’s Lake.
After being diagnosed in February 2025 with Ph‑like B‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and completing a full year of chemotherapy on 2/29/26, Richard finally got the chance to relax, recharge and enjoy the outdoors.
Fishing with legendary guide Big John Adams, Richard caught a bunch of fish and made memories to last a lifetime.
We’re so proud of this young man and thrilled he had such a great adventure.
What a week for 17‑year‑old Gavin Gilbertson!
Diagnosed with SMA Type 2 at 13 months old, Gavin continues to inspire everyone around him with his strength and positivity. He and his family just wrapped up an August adventure at Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge in Bemidji, complete with guided fishing from Dan Reiners of Cedar Swamp Guide Service.
The whole crew caught fish after fish and made memories that will last a lifetime. We’re thrilled to celebrate Gavin and the joy this adventure brought to his family.
We’re honored to celebrate 13‑year‑old Falan Dobis from Baxter, MN.
Falan was diagnosed with Wilms tumor and bravely endured multiple surgeries, the removal of a 3½‑pound kidney tumor and 21 weeks of chemo and radiation after her cancer spread to her lungs and lymph nodes. Today, she is in remission, though she continues to face ongoing challenges.
Falan and her family enjoyed a beautiful August trip to White Eagle Resort on Lake Vermilion, where she enjoyed guided fishing with Dave Schueck (Sunset Glow Guide Service), Jason Freed (Leisure Outdoor Adventures), and Justin Chromy (Patriot Guide Service).
We’re so proud of Falan’s strength and grateful she was able to enjoy time on the water making memories, relaxing, and simply being a kid again.
Congratulations Falan!
In August, Konner and Karver Repp returned from an unforgettable week in Alaska and what an adventure it was! They started on the Kenai River, catching salmon in one of the most iconic fisheries in the world. From there, they headed to Seward for two days of charter fishing, reeling in salmon, rockfish and halibut with Miller's Landing.
These young men have been through more than most people face in a lifetime. Seeing them out on the water, smiling, laughing and soaking in the beauty of Alaska is exactly why the Minnesota Outdoor Adventure Foundation exists. We’re proud of them and grateful they got to experience this incredible trip.
We are honored to celebrate U.S. Army veteran Jack Zimmerman and his incredible accomplishment — harvesting a fantastic trophy bull elk in velvet on his latest adventure with us.
Jack served in Afghanistan, where he stepped on an IED during a patrol and lost both legs. After more than 20 surgeries, Jack rebuilt his life with grit, faith and a relentless drive to keep moving forward. His injuries may have changed his life, but they’ve never stopped him from doing what he loves — hunting, fishing, and inspiring others.
Today, Jack is a powerful motivational speaker and the author of two books about his combat experience and remarkable road to recovery.
Congratulations Jack! We can't wait to see the mount at our banquet March 13th!
We’re proud to stand beside Jack and even prouder to celebrate this incredible bull elk in velvet. His strength reminds us why our mission matters.
We are excited to share that Danielle (Danny) Carver of Carlos, MN has completed her Lake Michigan charter fishing adventure with RV Charters.
Danny was diagnosed in November 2024 with a rare and aggressive form of bone sarcoma.
This trip gave her a meaningful break and some memorable days on the water.
Please join us congratulating Danny!
We’re proud to share that Isaac Rodriguez, a 34‑year‑old combat‑wounded veteran from Alexandria, MN, just returned from his guided fishing adventure on Lake of the Woods — and he hauled in a pile of monster walleyes with guide Aaron Phillipe.
Isaac served 4 years in the U.S. Army and was deployed in 2013, where he was injured in an IED blast and later awarded the Purple Heart.
Seeing him out on the water, smiling behind those big fish, is exactly why we do what we do.
Great job, Isaac — you earned every moment of this adventure.
It was a great July weekend up on Lake of the Woods for our Minnesota Outdoor Adventure Foundation charter trip. The weather was hot, the fishing was good and the smiles were nonstop.
Our recipients enjoyed time on the water, good company and a chance to unwind in the outdoors.
We capped off Saturday night with an awesome fish fry.
These trips are all about connection, healing, and creating memories — and this group made the most of every moment.
We’re excited to celebrate Winnie Hathaway from St. Michael, MN.
Winnie has been courageously fighting T‑Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia since September 2024, navigating tough hospital stays and challenging days along the way. Her treatments continue through January 2027, but her spirit remains unstoppable!
In July, she had an awesome Brainerd Lakes adventure — splashing through unlimited waterpark fun at The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes and spending two incredible days fishing with legendary guide Nate Berg.
We’re thrilled Winnie got to enjoy this well‑deserved getaway full of unforgettable moments.
Congrats Winnie!
The last weekend in June was our annual Minnesota Twins weekend for past recipients and it couldn’t have gone better. We had perfect baseball weather Saturday and a little rain delay Sunday, but still a great time.
The Twins split the series with the Colorado Rockies—falling on Saturday but bouncing back with a win on Sunday.
What a great time for all our MNOAF family!
Meet Breckon Sedam, age 9, from Eden Prairie. Diagnosed with B‑ALL at 3½, Breckon fought through years of treatment, relapsed in April 2025 and completed five weeks of clinical trials in Philadelphia.
Breckon and his family enjoyed an unforgettable adventure at The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, with unlimited passes to the waterpark and fishing with Brainerd guide Nate Berg.
We’re proud of you, Breckon. Your resilience inspires everyone around you.
What a week for Tommy Schweinitz and his family. In June, Tommy's adventure was on Lake Vermilion.
After losing his leg to Ewing’s sarcoma, Tommy has never stopped pushing forward — on the soccer field and in life.
Their week-long stay was at White Eagle Resort and enjoyed three days of guided fishing with Dave Schueck, Jason Freed, and Justin Chromy, plus plenty of time to relax, recharge and make memories that will last forever.
Congrats Tommy!
The middle of May brought an unforgettable moment for Gabe Kessel of White Bear Lake, MN. On his guided black bear hunt in Manitoba, Gabe harvested a Canadian black bear — a milestone earned through patience, determination and heart.
Because of his illness, Gabe had to learn to shoot left‑handed just to make this hunt possible. Watching him overcome that challenge and succeed in the field is something none of us will forget.
A big thank you to Darryl & Dylan Kantimer of DOA Outfitters for helping make this possible.
Incredible grit. Incredible moment.
Congratulations, Gabe!!
Some adventures just mean more than others.
Joe Kessel, a 17‑year U.S. Army veteran from White Bear Lake, carries injuries from burn pit exposure during his service in Iraq. Joe is the father of recipient Gabe Kessel, who bagged his Manitoba black bear the day before.
This Manitoba black bear hunt gave Joe and Gabe something priceless — time together in the wilderness, sharing an experience neither will ever forget.
Our thanks to Darryl and Dylan at DOA Outfitters for helping make this happen.
Congratulations Joe & Gabe! We couldn't be happier for you!
Nate Noonan of Rochester, MN lived out a moment that he'll never forget — a guided black bear hunt in Manitoba at DOA Outfitters with Darryl & Dylan Kantimer.
After years of fighting leukemia, enduring multiple transplants, and pushing through challenge after challenge, Nate finally got to step into the woods with a bow to make this dream happen. And he came home with a story he’ll never forget.
Nate harvested a 309‑pound Canadian black bear, taken cleanly and skillfully with his bow. We couldn’t be more proud of him — not just for the harvest, but for the strength, grit and spirit that carried him to this moment.
Congrats Nate!
We’re thrilled to share that Jason Chmielewski from Woodbury, MN harvested a Manitoba black bear at DOA Outfitters in early May.
Jason served 4 years in the U.S. Army and 11 years in the U.S. Navy, enduring multiple service‑related injuries including two surgeries on his right knee and additional surgeries on his neck, spine, lower back and left shoulder.
After everything he’s been through, seeing Jason out there in the Manitoba wilderness, smiling behind a successful bear hunt, is exactly why we do what we do.
Congratulations, Jason — you earned this moment.
After a long medical journey filled with challenges no child should ever face, 5‑year‑old Scarlet Nelson enjoyed a week of pure wonder at Give Kids the World Village.
She explored Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld — no lines, no stress, just childhood joy.
Scarlet, you are a warrior and a light to everyone around you.
MJ Arns of Monticello has battled Ewing’s Sarcoma with incredible strength — enduring chemo, radiation, lung treatments, and even a cadaver bone replacement. When his cancer returned, we knew he deserved an unforgettable adventure.
In early May, MJ went sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River with guide Trent Eineichner, whose expertise helped MJ land several giants… including this 66-inch beast.
Congrats, MJ!! I hope you have a big wall for the mount of that beast.