Apply

First Step: Filling Out an Application

The family of the potential dream child will submit an application to Catch-A-Dream. On this application, the dream child will designate his/her top three dream hunting or fishing adventures. We ask that the “requests” be genuine desires of the child (as opposed to parent dreams) and that these be reasonable in expectation and age-appropriate.

Second Step: Determining Eligibility

After the application has been received, a medical certification form is sent to the child’s attending physician. The child’s attending physician makes the final determination of whether the child meets the medical criteria for eligibility and whether the child is physically and emotionally able to participate in the designated activity.

Third Step: Finalizing the Application

The family completes additional forms, including a waiver of liability, eligibility certification, etc.

Fourth Step: Application Review

Once all eligibility requirements are met and all required forms have been submitted by the family, the application is reviewed by the Board of Directors and either approved or not approved based upon policy and eligibility criteria.

Fifth Step: Identifying an Outfitter and Volunteer Host

After confirmation of the child’s eligibility, Catch-A-Dream notifies the family. Then, Catch-A-Dream personnel identify the Outfitting Partner that can best accommodate the child and family, and make the dream a reality. A Volunteer Host is then selected from our corps of trained and certified volunteers. The inclusion of a Host on every trip is one of the unique aspects of a Catch-A-Dream experience. The Host accompanies the family, covers all expenses, and ensures that plans designed by our staff are implemented. The Host facilitates every aspect of the trip, freeing parents and family to enjoy and savor the entire experience without the pressures of managing logistics and details.

Sixth Step: Fulfilling the Dream

Once a venue and dream trip are identified, the opportunity is presented to the family and plans are finalized. Our staff, working in conjunction with outfitters, guides and charter services, handles all aspects of trip planning. Every effort is made to include the immediate family living in the same household. The dream experience often touches dozens, and sometimes hundreds of people who either help coordinate or are directly involved in the dream.

We provide hunting and fishing experiences that include the entire family, but these are not designed as “family vacations” per se. Each dream-granting situation is a unique experience for the child, his/her family, and Catch-A-Dream.

We ask that the “requests” be genuine desires of the child (as opposed to parent aspirations) and that these be reasonable in expectation and age-appropriate. Requests must not be destination oriented, but rather should be related to “type of hunting or fishing experience” desired by the child. We cannot honor requests for trips/experiences to specific destinations. In all cases, hunting and fishing destinations are limited to the continental United States and Canada. Additionally, it is important to note that we cannot honor requests to hunt or fish with a “celebrity” due to the challenges involved in coordinating schedules for both family and “celebrity” while also considering the seasonal cycles in hunting and fishing opportunities.

Please note that it is not always possible to accommodate all siblings/family members, depending upon travel constraints and/or other logistics such as lodging, accommodations, services, etc. at the destination.Generally, we cannot accommodate requests for extended family members or non-family members to be included in the traveling party.

There may be other limiting factors that prevent Catch-A-Dream from providing the exact stated “wish” of an individual child. For example, we cannot honor requests for hunting dangerous big game such as the “large bears” (Grizzly, Brown, Kodiak, Polar, etc.) or animals requiring negotiation of extreme, rugged, or remote terrain or locations, including, but not limited to the North American goats and sheep.

In some cases, the current health status and/or physical capabilities of the child may be determining factors in the type of experience that is feasible. We do not want to place the child in situations, environments, or circumstances that the child cannot physically, medically, or psychologically handle, or that might exacerbate, aggravate, or complicate existing medical conditions. The safety and welfare of the child (and family) are of utmost importance.