Who We Are
The Story
A Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to reconnect kids and families with the great outdoors.
Our Mission
To get kids off screens and outside by creating opportunities to play, explore, learn, provide food for their families, and build a lifelong connection with the outdoors.
Less Screen. More Story.
Childhood has moved inside. Today’s kids spend more time staring at bright glass screens than feeling dirt under their boots, holding a fishing rod, or sitting around a campfire. Outdoor traditions are slipping away—not because kids don't want to go outside, but because access, gear, and guidance feel harder to reach than ever before.
We remove every barrier—cost, gear, experience, and access—so any child can step into the outdoor world with confidence and a mentor by their side.
Meet the Team
Four passionate Texas outdoorsmen united by a shared mission to pass down the values and traditions of the outdoors to the next generation.
Founder
Patrick Tarlton
As a lifelong outdoorsman and father, Patrick created HFP to pass down the values of patience, respect, discipline, and family connection that he believes are best learned outside. Through events, mentorship, and storytelling, his mission is to inspire the next generation to explore the outdoors and experience the lessons it has to offer.
Founding Member
Jeff Sears
Jeff Sears is a founding member of the organization, driven by a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a belief that time spent in nature shapes who we become. Having grown up hunting, fishing, and exploring the wild country of Texas, Jeff knows firsthand how those experiences build character, confidence, and a deep respect for the land.
Board Director
Michael Grigar
Michael is a lifelong outdoorsman and proud Texan who brings passion, integrity, and practical experience to Hunt Fish Play. One of his greatest joys is sharing the outdoors with his kids, believing that even a slow day in the deer stand is better than any day spent indoors. He works as a meat safety inspector for the Texas Department of State Health Services and lives in San Antonio with his wife Sheila and their children Clara and Miles.
Board Member
Cliff Higgs
Cliff brings nearly 20 years of experience in financial advising to his role on the board. As a father of two boys, ages eight and ten, Cliff is deeply passionate about encouraging children to explore the great outdoors. Having grown up hunting, fishing, and camping himself, he understands the value of time spent outside and is committed to passing that love of nature on to future generations.
31
Events
2,789
Hours Outside
164
Kids Hosted
