Local nonprofit holds fishing event for fatherless in community

Posted

For the third straight year, Faith Outfitters, a local nonprofit, helped out kids with absent fathers on Father’s Day weekend.

The event, held at a private setting on the outskirts of Battle Ground, gives boys and girls ages 8-13 a fun and meaningful day to remember. There was a stocked trout pond for fishing. Archery World provides an instructional archery range where kids learn to shoot a bow and arrow. Certified firearm safety instructor’s offer an instructional shooting range where the boys and girls learn safe firearm handling techniques and shoot BB guns at targets.

After catching their fish, the kids honed their casting skills on a casting course and some won prizes for accuracy. 

This year, Les Schwab and KPTV FOX news presented Faith Outfitters with a “Be the Change” award. 

There was a very intentional and focused element to the camp. This year’s event coordinator, Sommer Boe, pointed out that an amazing group of men and women volunteers mentor these boys and girls all day to make them feel valued and important. The day wraps up with a message of hope.



This year’s message was provided by Ben Ritter, who was one of the kids not too many years back himself. Over popsicles in the afternoon, Ben told them “you don’t have to let the circumstances you are in today, that were not of your choosing, dictate your future. Like these people here today, there are people around who care and will help you in life; seek them out and know you are special and that your life matters immensely, don’t give up, ever.”

You can learn more about Faith Outfitters and Trout Camp at faithoutfitters.net.

— David Freund is the founder of Faith Outfitters