As the rate of children in out-of-home care continues to rise, from 31.3 to 34.8 per 1,000 children ages 0-17 in Daviess County in 3 years (Kentucky Youth Advocates), the Kids Outdoor Adventures Committee seeks ways to keep families engaged in fun, educational, safe, and healthy activities as a family.  This Committee formed in 2015 as it sponsored the first Take A Kid Fishing Day at Panther Creek Park in Owensboro, Kentucky.  With direction from the Daviess County Conservation District, individuals from the Conservation District, Natural Resource Conservation Service, 4-H, Daviess County Parks & Recreation, Daviess County Fish & Wildlife, Independence Bank, and Farm Bureau, came together to form this committee in hopes to provide families with opportunities to enjoy one another’s company and participate in outdoor activities as a family. 

The first Take a Kid Fishing day drew a crowd of 333 individuals from the community.  Youth were provided with fishing poles when needed, bait, and nature related educational games to keep the youth engaged.  Competitions for the youth to win prizes included largest, smallest, and most catches.  Lunch was provided to allow families to sit with their loved ones and enjoy nature to wrap up the event.  As of 2018, over 500 youth alone have been impacted through Take a Kid Fishing Day. 

As the Committee has developed, more events are now being offered to support these family outdoor activities including Take a Kid Tent Camping, Take a Kid Outdoors, and an Ugly Sweater 5K.  At each of these events, families learn and practice outdoor safety, nature identification, nutrition education, and find a growing love for the outdoors.  Community members representing Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, and Daviess County Gun Club have also become supporters of these programs, assisting greatly in Take a Kid Outdoors Day to provide grant funding, a facility to host the event, and providing more hands on learning opportunities.  Additionally, members of two Daviess County 4-H shooting sports disciplines have stepped up to volunteer on the day of the event.  These members have shown safety in firearm handling and education, and leadership alongside their certified coaches to assist youth that are unfamiliar with the sport.