KAFBC Youth Camping/Fishing Trip

What an awesome weekend!!! We took some of the youth from our church out to East Texas (near Cedar Creek) for some camping and fishing. For the majority of these kids, this was the first time that they have been camping or fishing!

We arrived at our ‘campsite’ around 7pm and immediately got underway in setting up the tents.

As the tents were getting finished up, I had a hungry crew on my hands that were needing some food!!! So I got underway in preparing some hamburgers, brats and homemade french fries.

We then got the campfire going and enjoyed a study lead by Zach Jones (our youth minister) about being “light” in a “dark” world. His usage of the light cast by the fire, the lights nearby, the stars and the moon were an excellent source of imagery in his study!! The youth then got underway in a few games of kick-the-can while I tended to the fire.

Early Saturday morning a new fishing buddy of mine, Dan H., and I headed out for some early morning pre-fishing to get a sense of what the action would be like throughout the day. He had gone to go get his 2-man bass buster while I got things ready for the youth to come in for their fishing outing.

Throughout the morning Dan and I fished the banks running all types of plastics and rigging methods and just having a blast catching bass after bass (and a catfish!) in this hidden 20-acre pond!! The youth were catching a few fish on their own but there was one that was really needing some help as I could tell he was getting very discouraged. So Dan dropped me back onshore and I hollered at Eric to meet me on the dock. We got him rigged up with a minnow and a bobber and I showed him where to toss his bait. I then took a creature bait and starting fan casting around the area in hopes of drawing in some action for him. Soon I hear, “Mr. Miller, where’s my bobber?” And sure enough, it was gone so I told him to set the hook and bring it in.

Here’s Eric with the first fish that he’s ever caught!!

You couldn’t wipe the smile off his face and who would want to?!!!! Soon after, my daughter hooked into the largest fish that she has ever caught!! What a joy it was for me to watch her handle that fish like a pro and bring it in!!

So yes, it was an awesome day indeed. Even for yours truly!!!

Catch count:

• Catfish – 1
• Bluegill – 2
• Bass – 15
• Ones that got away – countless!!

Here are some other pics from our trip:

Lunch on Saturday consisted of the delicious fish that we all caught and some onion rings and fried potato wedges. For dessert, Zach’s mother prepared some brownies and ice cream (which were quickly devoured!!!). As with all good things, they must come to an end. So we got everything packed up and headed back home.

My many thanks to Zach for putting this together; to Zach’s parents for opening up their home; and to the youth that were on the trip!!!

Plans are already in place for the next youth camping/fishing trip!!!