Photo Gallery: SOAR kids enjoy fish camp

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — For the second year in a row kids immersed themselves in the world of fish and fishing thanks to the Silverdale Outdoor Adventure & Recreation program, hosted by Silverdale Baptist Academy.

The annual fishing camp is the brainchild of Silverdale Outdoor Education Director Al Rogers.

Rogers recruits a variety of professionals and community members to share their knowledge with the kids. More importantly, Rogers gets the kids outdoors often with a fishing pole in their hands.

“We don't want to just teach them how to fish," said Rogers. "We want to teach them how to be outside, how to enjoy nature.

Rogers recruited wildlife officers, professional fishermen, biologists, fishing guides and a host of others to share knowledge with the kids during the week-long camp. Last year COVID put a damper on their actual fishing activities but this year the kids had the chance to go fishing three days of the five-day camp.

The camp is open to anyone and Rogers says he is already making plans for 2023. Follow the SOAR Facebook Page for more information.

Rogers said partners assisting with this year's SOAR Fishing Camp included the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Sportsmans Warehouse, Brent Brady, Rob Prytula, Trout Unlimited, Rick Hansard, TN State Representative Greg Vital, Richard Simms of Scenic City Charters, Kurt Lakin of TVA Fisheries Department, Harrison Bay State Park, Brian Batka of Southeast Tackle, Booker T. Washington State Park and Tony Sanders Outdoors Radio.