JAKES Day returns to Mustard Seed Ranch on Saturday after a three year hiatus with outdoor activities for the whole family.
Established in 1981, the JAKES program is dedicated to informing, educating and involving youth 17 and younger in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources.
Mustard Seed Ranch Executive Director Tammy Hogan said they are honored to partner with TWRA and the National Wild Turkey Federation to bring JAKES Day back to the ranch, an event recognized as best in the nation three years in a row.
“Everything else is put aside just to come and join a day together as a family,” Hogan said. “Mustard Seed Ranch is all about preserving the family. NWTF is all about teaching kids how to love the outdoors.”
Hogan said the staff at Mustard Seed Ranch hopes that kids and parents will put their computers and phones down and just have a ball. She said that every year they have JAKES day they have families that are so excited to be there.
Hogan said National Wild Turkey Federation will offer so many outdoor activities that many kids normally do not have the opportunity to experience like skeet shooting, fishing, 4 wheeling, mule team hayrides, ax throwing and more. She said kids who never had a chance to shoot a bow and arrow will get that opportunity in a supervised and safe environment.
“You see all of the different folks that are going to be here, the Sheriff’s Department, the Fire Department, other folks around the local area that just want to help make this the family experience that so many of us had when we were kids,” Hogan said.
JAKES Day takes place at Mustard Seed Ranch in Cookeville on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Refreshments, lunch, and all events are free.