There were 20 kids lining the shore of the little lake at Camp Cyomoko. Scattered amongst them were nine adults who were busy re-tying hooks, threading on worms and untangling lines.
Although it was hard to believe, it had been a year and it was time once again for Camp Soroptimist.
My wife is a member of the Joplin chapter of Soroptimist International, an organization of business women. Each year, they host an event where the children’s division of Jasper County Family Services selects 40 foster children to come and spend a week of fun at the Cyomoko facilities near Alba, Mo.
The week-long event is filled with activities, including swimming, bowling, crafts, a movie night and a carnival night. However, it’s on equestrian and fishing night that I show up, and I don’t own a horse.
As I drove up the lane toward the camp, there were two horse trailers parked along the gravel route. I could see two of the horses standing near one of the trailers. Standing beside one of the animals with a brush in her hand was my wife Karen.
I parked nearby and began rehearsing the reasons why horses would be impractical. However, just as I began my spiel, she looked up tiredly and stated that horses are certainly a lot of work. She went back to work brushing the animal as I headed toward the truck, relieved and eager to get down to the lake.
Arms loaded with supplies, I was walking toward the lake when Kevin Badgley of the Missouri Department of Conservation pulled up. He was back once again to help infect another group of children with the fishing bug.
Kevin introduced me to Ed Grundy, who along with six of his friends and a large supply of fishing worms, had come to help out.
The 40 kids were split into two groups by age. The older kids gathered under the pavilion near the lake while the younger ones took off toward the open field where the horses and a mule-drawn wagon sat waiting.
It took a while, but the laughing, squealing and excited chatter quieted as Kevin began his well-practiced explanation of good fishing practices. He covered how to properly secure the hook to one of the rod’s guides and then how to safely handle and carry both the rod and reel.
Once Kevin had finished a casting demonstration, the kids broke into small groups, each with a helper, who ensured they carefully selected a rod and reel and loaded up with plenty of worms before tearing madly for the water. Several of the kids had never been fishing before but some were old hands — many I remembered from last year’s event.
The excitement was high and time flew by as the kids caught and released plenty of little sunfish and a single catfish along with more than a few pounds of pond moss which had matted over the water’s surface for several feet out from the shore.
Soon it was time for the older kids to switch places with the younger group, but not before they’d had their snack break.
Darkness came all too soon and after several more “just one more cast” calls by the kids, we called an end to another successful Soroptimist fishing adventure.
It’s a bittersweet experience, fishing with these kids, getting to know them, watching them learn a new outdoor skill and being excited with them when they catch a fish.
It’s sad to know these neat kids are in the foster system, but it’s also great to see them enjoying a week of summer camp thanks to the Soroptimists and Family Services.
Address correspondence to Silas Gray at ifish@silasgray.com.
Sports
Working with kids at Camp Cyomoko a bittersweep experience
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