The Story. 

 

The Hearts of the Father Outdoor Expeditions was never about buildings or traditional programs. It was about answering a call—a call to reach boys who had been left behind, forgotten, or told they weren’t worth fighting for. Boys longing for a place to belong.

Founded in 2015, Hearts of the Father began with a single camp at Stephen F. Austin State Park. It was a leap of faith—an outdoor experience designed for boys in foster care and young men from broken homes. Without walls to confine them, without the distractions of the world, these boys found something they had never known before: a brotherhood forged in the wild, a space where their past did not define them, and a chance to discover their true worth.

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​          Each milestone in this journey is a testament to transformation:

• 2015 – The Hearts of the Father Outdoor Expeditions launches its first camp at Stephen F. Austin State Park.

• 2016 – The first Fishing Derby teaches boys patience, resilience, and faith.

• 2017 – The inaugural hog hunt introduces a rite of passage, testing courage and skill.

• 2018 – Over 1,000 boys mentored, each carrying forward lessons of strength and leadership.

• 2019 – Thirty boys brave the coldest camp .25 degrees, learning that perseverance builds character.

• 2020 – Amidst a global crisis, The Hearts of the Father adapts, proving that its mission is unstoppable.

• 2021 – The movement expands beyond Texas, reaching young men in Northwest Arkansas.

• 2022 – A major donation from Rise Up Kings propels the organization toward its next chapter of impact.

• 2023 – The More Than a Brand podcast launches, amplifying stories of faith and resilience.

• 2024 – Strategic partnerships with churches, businesses, and influencers strengthen the mission.

• 2025 – A decade of transformation is celebrated, with thousands of young lives changed.    

 

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