Reel Connections for Kids

Our Motivation:  15.9% of children in Franklin County and 12% of children in Bedford County are living below the poverty level.  Families struggle to make ends meet and put nutritious food on the table.  Across the country in 2022, there was a 2.1 million loss of children that participated in fishing activities (Outdoor Foundation 2023 Special Report).  There was a dip of 2% in children ages 6 to 15 that participated in freshwater fishing. Females stopped fishing at a rate 11% higher than males.  Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation has reported that it is critical to introduce fishing to children before the age of 12 in order to keep them active.  

Reel Connections for Kids, Inc. was formed with the beliefs that fishing is a fun activity that teaches important life skills, children benefit from having safe and healthy activities to keep them busy, fishing provides opportunities to learn about water safety and water conservation, and fishing can help children connect with other children as well as adults that share a common interest.  While it can be agreed that these are good reasons for children to fish, the Reel Connections for Kids Board recognizes that children may not have access to fishing because they do not live near water, they do not have an adult in their lives that can teach them how to fish, and/or they do not have the equipment needed to fish safely.  

Reel Connections for Kids is a 501(c) 3 non-profit focused on connecting underserved kids in our communities with hands-on experiences that provide the equipment, information, tools, and skills that are needed for fishing, conservation, and water safety.  Reel Connections is also committed to helping participants develop long-term connections with the lake, each other, and RCK volunteers.

Reel Connections has focused on holding two fun and exciting events per year.   The first event takes place in May or June - the Take a Kid Fishing Day, which provides children ages 7 to 13 with an exciting morning out on the lake with Professional Fishing Guides, family members and volunteer chaperones.  Every effort is made to ensure that each child catches at least one fish.   Volunteers demonstrate how to clean the fish, and every child gets a cooler filled with fresh fish to take home for dinner, along with recipes.  Every participating child receives a new fishing rod, an equipped tackle box, a Reel Connections for Kids t-shirt, and soft-sided cooler.   Plus, lunch is provided for all participants and volunteers. Participants are then sent home with fish and recipes so they can take pride in putting dinner on the table!  Take a Kid Fishing will be held this year on June 13th at Goodhue Boat Company.  The second event takes place each year in September or October.  The focus is in providing an event that teaches additional skills or helps the participants learn more about Smith Mountain Lake and/or water safety.  This year, participants will be transported to a trout pond for a day of trout fishing on October 3rd.  In addition to these activities, Board members and volunteers maintain contact with participants and families to tell them about other fishing or water-related activities that are available in the community.  

Through these events, RCK has encouraged many young anglers to develop a connection with fishing, the lake, RCK volunteers, and other children that understand the joys and benefits of fishing.  However, there is so much more that can be accomplished, such as fishing opportunities for veterans and children, additional skill-focused workshops, purchasing equipment that can help children practice some fishing skills,  accommodations for young anglers with disabilities, lifetime fishing licenses, and scholarships for students that seek to pursue an education related to conservation and environmental protection.   With the assistance of our wonderful Smith Mountain Lake Community, RCK will continue to grow and develop programs and activities that benefit children and families that otherwise would not have access to these opportunities.  Thank you so much for your support!