Our Mission

Outdoor Skills of America, Inc. mission is to provide opportunities for participants in

outdoor related activities by providing resources, support and assistance to the general

public, outdoor enthusiast as well as promoting conservation values that ensures future

generations have the same access to participate in the great outdoors experience.

Who We Are

Outdoor Skills of America, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501c3 nonprofit. We were founded on September 22, 2022, by Michael Brian Mansell to introduce individuals to the different outdoor activities across this great nation. Outdoor Skills of America, Inc. provides resources, support, assistance, and mentorship to individuals and other like-minded groups to promote safe and responsible outdoor activities for the future of the American Outdoors. Outdoor Skills of America, Inc. promotes safety more than anything else in outdoor activities; promotes wise use of our natural resources, and adheres to the nationwide campaign known as R3 — Recruit, Retain, Reactivate to introduce people back into the outdoors. Involving individuals and families in a variety of outdoor activities can be a life-changing experience after they realize what nature has to offer.

Meet the Team

  • Michael Mansell

    FOUNDER

    Michael is the founder and President of Outdoor Skills of America, Inc., where he teaches classes, sharing his knowledge of traditional outdoor skills such as hunting, fishing, trapping, flint knapping and wildlife identification.

    Michael grew up in Odessa, and after graduation he went to work on towboats pushing barges on the Mississippi and Illinois River. After a year, he decided to do something different. He owns Michael Mansell Trucking and has driven for over 45 years, winning rewards for his exceptional professionalism.

    He is a Founding Member of Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, a Life member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the NRA, the International Hunter Education Association with annual memberships with Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and Missouri Trappers Association.

  • Treasurer

    Karen Mansell

    Treasurer

    I was raised in Independence, Missouri, and attended Truman High School. I graduated in 1971 and then from the University of Central Missouri in 1972 with an associate degree; I was working with Mobil Oil Credit Card Corp. as part-time help then. I have since worked in many fields in the office setting such as Walmart and Harding Glass/Binswanger Glass. I am retired and enjoy volunteering in Missouri Hunter Education classes and helping my husband with numerous activities.

    I enjoy camping, fishing, and sewing. We have two boys who have families, and we appreciate the grandchildren immensely. I like visiting family in Colorado, seeing the scenery, and keeping camp when the guys go elk hunting.

    I am a lifetime Member of the North American Hunting Club, National Rifle Association, and Missouri Hunter Education Instructors Association. I am also a member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

  • George Dalgetty

    Director

    George grew up in Devils Elbow MO on the Big Piney River, enjoying God’s Creations. He spent 20 years in the Army. After retiring in 2010, he and his family settled back to MO, where he continues to serve our country as a Dept. of Defense Civilian.

    Along with OSA, he is currently on the board of Missouri State Chapter of the NWTF

  • Joseph "Joe" Anderson

    Deputy Director

    I grew up in Idaho, active in all things outdoors. I got my Eagle Scout at age 14.

    I spent 2 summers after graduation working in Alaska at a self-guided fishing lodge, Doc Warners Alaskan Fishing Adventures. There I discovered my love for teaching outdoor skills and watching others succeed.

    I also learned to trap and tan hides and was involved in Mountain Man groups.

    After I got married, I traveled the Midwest upgrading cell towers. 10 years ago, I had a co-worker ask me to teach him how to trap and tan. I tanned 25 furs out of my truck while traveling; this was a nightmare.

    The next year I learned of a different product and tanned 100+ hides with less effort. Since then, I have learned dozens of ways to tan from commercial products to bark tanning and brain tanning. For the last four years, I’ve gotten back into the mountain man scene. I teach and present hide tanning, butchery, and using/crafting out of animal byproducts with the Missouri Free Trappers and on my own.