According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention children’s mental health is effected by communication and quality time with family. Children who spend quality time and have clear communication with their family are less likely to develop depression, anxiety, and are more likely to succeed in school.

The Lawrence County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Education collaborated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering and local businesses in order to deliver a program geared toward local families, focusing on families who are underserved. The program, Family Fishing Day, was developed to encourage the family members to spend time with one another. Furthermore, the programs vision was to educate the participating families, giving them tips/tools on spending quality time with their children as well as provide information on the benefits of quality family time. 

The overarching goal for this event was to not only encourage families to spend time together but, also to facilitate quality family time by providing the resources and the opportunity for families to spend time together during the event. 

The event was held in Lawrence County at the Yatesville Lake Marina. A total of 202 individuals participated in the program with 98 youth participants in attendance. By working with University of Kentucky Extension Parenting and Child Development Senior Specialist Dr. David Weisenhorn, PhD, the FCS agent was able to provide up to date information on the topic of quality family time to both youth and adult participants. This information was made possible through the University of Kentucky Extension publication Family Vitality: Time together. 

This program was additionally made successful through community partners and collaborations. Local businesses provided the meals for the families throughout the day, including breakfast, snacks, and lunch. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineering Corps provided door prizes and fishing supplies for the event. 

Verbal evaluations indicated that the families at the event were very receptive to spending more time with their families and learned more about the importance of quality family time through participation in Family Fishing Day. Individuals also indicated that the Family Fishing Day successfully met its’ goal to facilitate the opportunity for families to spend time together at the program event. Evidence of this could be observed throughout the day and through surveying participants. An adult participant sated that, “I always say I’m going to do stuff with my kids but I’m so busy, today was nice, I actually got to do it.” One youth participant even stated, “I’m so happy! Dad taught me fishing!”