DARKE COUNTY – The Light Foundation, a nonprofit established by three-time Super Bowl Champion and New England Patriot Matt Light and his wife, Susie, is now accepting applications for the 17th Annual Youth Wild Turkey Hunt.
This unique, two-day outdoor experience invites young people ages 12-17 to apply for a weekend centered on hunting, mentorship, leadership, and personal growth. The event will take place April 17-19, 2026, at the Foundation’s Chenoweth Trails facility in Greenville, Ohio. Applications are open now through March 10, 2026, and can be submitted at mattlight72.com.
The event will begin with a Kick-Off dinner on the evening of Friday, April 17, where participants will meet with mentors and landowners, review hunting safety guidelines, and learn more about the mission of the Light Foundation. On Saturday, April 18, youth hunters will be paired with experienced mentors for a guided wild turkey hunt across the 400+ acre Chenoweth Trails property and additional land in Darke County and surrounding areas cleared for hunting. In addition to time in the field, participants will take part in leadership-focused programming that emphasizes responsibility, ethics, and conservation.
This year’s hunt is limited to 16 participants, and interested youth are encouraged to apply early. Applicants must submit a 500-word essay based on the theme “My word is my bond.” Selected participants are also required to hold a valid Ohio hunting license, a Spring turkey tag, and proof of completion of a hunter safety course.
“This event holds a special place for us,” said Matt Light, co-founder of the Light Foundation. “Watching young people grow in confidence, learn from mentors, and gain respect for the outdoors is what makes this weekend so meaningful year after year.”
Matt Light, along with 20 experienced mentors, will be on hand throughout the weekend, offering guidance and support to participants. The event also gives participants the chance to build confidence, learn teamwork, and develop a deeper understanding of stewardship in the outdoors.
The Youth Wild Turkey Hunt is one of several programs through which the Light Foundation fulfills its mission of providing meaningful, hands-on outdoor learning experiences for young people.
The Foundation continues to seek sponsors and donors to support this event and other youth-focused initiatives. For sponsorship information, please contact brandi@mattlight72.com or call the Light Foundation office at 937-316-6352.
Follow the Light Foundation on Facebook at facebook.com/lightfoundation and on Instagram at @lightfoundation for updates and more information on upcoming programs.
About the Light Foundation:
Founded in 2001 by Matt Light, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and his wife, Susie, the Light Foundation is committed to providing youth with transformative outdoor learning experiences that instill values of responsibility, accountability, and hard work. The Foundation’s mission is to inspire young people to become leaders who give back to their communities and continue a legacy of achievement. Matt Light, drafted by the New England Patriots in 2001 out of Purdue University, anchored the team’s offensive line for more than a decade before retiring in 2012. His community efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2005, the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2008, and the Pop Warner Humanitarian of the Year award in 2012. He also received the All-Sports United Humanitarian Award in 2014 and the Man of the Year Award from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s New England chapter in 2015. In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Light was named to the Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2018 and the “Power 50” list in 2019. That same year, he was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame, a testament to both his athletic accomplishments and his lasting impact off the field. Learn more at mattlight72.com
