Capel Honored with National Award for Youth Outreach Efforts
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Kimberly Capel of Chestertown, Maryland, was honored by the NWTF with the JAKES Volunteer of the Year Award during the organization’s 48th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
“When I received the call from [NWTF] Regional Director Scott Wojton letting me know I had been selected as the 2024 JAKES Volunteer of the Year, I was completely speechless,” Capel said. “I've been a part of the NWTF since I was a teenager, at the local banquet level, and I've sat on the Maryland State Board my whole adult life, holding multiple positions. Turkey hunting and conservation have always been a passion of mine, hunting the country (and Mexico) with my dad and completing my Royal Slam when I was just 25 years old. When the first young lady came to me at our banquet and said, ‘Will you take me turkey hunting,’ and we had an incredible hunt, I knew it was time to give back. Every year since then, I've been involved with mentoring, and I don't see that coming to an end anytime soon.”
Capel has been an NWTF member since 1999, upgrading to Diamond Life in 2010. During that time, Kimberly has been involved in youth activities with the Mid Shore Chapter since joining, guiding youth hunters for the past 12 years. She has led 10 young people to their first turkey, several becoming new dedicated members because of her drive for them to succeed.
Additionally, Capel has been extremely valuable in assisting young females in the field of turkey hunting by guiding them to their first bird. She is also an active leader in the Eastern Neck Island Youth Hunt, guiding youth on the Hunt of a Lifetime. One of her female mentees is now on her second term on the state’s board of directors.
Last year's Dr. James Earl Kennamer Scholarship winner thanked her on stage during her acceptance speech. Capel was one of the first people called by this year's scholarship winner.
Capel is also a Mossy Oak Pro Staff member and uses that platform to promote the NWTF through outreach events, calling contests and the BB gun range at numerous fairs and promotional events, constantly taking a support role and oftentimes leading the way for others.
She is an avid hunter, always promoting the skill, calling, and ethics in any hunting activity she pursues. She is also the vice president of the Maryland Chapter of the American Daughters of Conservation, a group of females who are extremely active in hunting and fishing sports.
“Getting youth involved with our mission and emphasizing the importance of conservation and hunting is an essential aspect of our mission,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “Kimberly’s determination and willingness to connect with youth is helping create our next generation of hunter-conservationists. We are proud to honor Kimberly with the JAKES Volunteer of the Year Award.”
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $9 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.