What started with a few fishing poles and a vision to get kids off the couch has grown into a beloved community tradition that’s brought hundreds into the woods, onto the water, and under the stars.
The Kids Outdoor Adventures program is celebrating its 10th year of connecting youth and families with nature through a trio of free, hands-on events: Take a Kid Fishing, Take a Kid Outdoors, and Take a Kid Tent Camping. Organized by a coalition of community partners — including Daviess County Parks and Recreation, the Daviess County Conservation District, and the UK Agriculture Extension Office — the program continues to offer simple, fun ways for families to experience the outdoors together.
“We’re mostly just wanting to encourage children to get outside,” said Sarah Collum, administrative secretary for the Daviess County Conservation District. “The originators of the event wanted to provide opportunities for kids to just do something different.”
The season kicks off with Take a Kid Fishing on June 7 at Panther Creek Park’s Feather Landing Shelter. Registration opens at 8 a.m., with fishing beginning at 9 a.m. A free lunch of hot dogs and chips will be served at 11 a.m., and participants can win door prizes — including a kayak if someone catches the event’s special tagged fish.
“There will be limited bait provided by one of our sponsors,” Collum said. “We’ll have some fishing poles available, but we encourage people to bring their own if they have one.”
No fishing license is required, and families are asked to bring lawn chairs, coolers with ice for any fish they catch, and life jackets for small children.
Take a Kid Outdoors follows on August 23 at the Mattingly Target Shooting Range. The interactive day features activities such as archery, firearm safety, animal track identification, and ATV safety. Community organizations like Ducks Unlimited, local law enforcement, and 4-H have participated in the past.
“We’ve had the sheriff’s office, state police, and even reptile experts come out,” Collum said. “There’s always something new,”
Registration again starts at 8 a.m., with activities at 9 a.m. and lunch and prizes at 11 a.m.
The season wraps up with Take a Kid Tent Camping on October 3 at Panther Creek Park. Families bring their own tents, gear, and food for an overnight adventure filled with campfires, s’mores, and bingo.
“It’s tent camping only — no RVs,” Collum noted. “It’s a safe way for people who aren’t regular campers to try it out. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.”
Since launching in 2015, the program has expanded from a single fishing event to a full season of outdoor opportunities. Participation dipped during the pandemic but is steadily rebounding.
“Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Collum said. “We have lots of families who come back year after year. Everyone seems to really enjoy it.”
发表回复