A Day on the Shenandoah River with Military Families

We are excited to finally be back to doing what we do best – getting kids and families into parks! On Saturday, April 2nd, we teamed up with the National Park Service (NPS), Our Military Kids, Trout Unlimited, Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, and KBP Foods to hold a fishing event for military families at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. 

The program provided participants with fishing gear, a West Virginia fishing license, and the chance to practice the skills learned during a fishing technique demonstration by Trout Unlimited representatives. NPS rangers also taught participants about the role of Harpers Ferry in our nation’s history and participants toured the park’s museums and exhibits. A hearty breakfast and lunch donated by KBP Foods fueled their full slate of activities.  

To kick the day off, our lovable mascot, Buddy Bison, and Superintendent Tyrone Bradyburg gave each family a 2022 Interagency Military Pass. This pass provides entrance or access for one year to more than 2,000 federal recreational sites for current members of the military and their dependents, veterans, and Gold Star families.  

Sinaiyah Emami, one of the twelve kids in attendance, said “I am just so thankful that they will bring us out here; it really makes an imprint on our minds in our hearts and our lives.” 

“Teaching each family how to fish and then providing families with fishing equipment that they can take with them will allow participants to continue enjoying this sport and create more family memories in the great outdoors,” shared Grace Lee, National Park Trust executive director. 

This event at Harpers Ferry NHP marks the beginning of a year of collaborative programming with Our Military Kids, with four more fishing outings planned throughout 2022.