Operation Orphans, Inc., held a fishing camp for boys, April 25 - 26th. Sixty-eight boys from seven child residential homes came to Operation Orphans base headquarters, Camp Gene Ashby, eager to try their hand at “catching a big one.”
Big Springs Ranch, Leakey; Methodist Boys, Waco; Foster’s Home, Stephenville; Hill Country Youth Ranch, Ingram; Sweeten Home, Brownwood; Texas Boys Ranch, Lubbock; and West Texas Boys Ranch, San Angelo participated.
The kids and their counselors came to Camp Gene Ashby Friday afternoon. They enjoyed a tasty meal of tacos, visited the clothing room, received a goody bag, enjoyed playing games in the Janie & Milton Jordan Building, and playing basketball and football.
Saturday morning, everyone enjoyed a tremendous breakfast and then loaded up to go fishing. The groups were accompanied by volunteers who served as guides to help bait hooks, remove fish and moss, and share knowledge about fishing. The volunteers get to answer many questions such as “What is this worm’s name?”, “Which end is the head and which is the butt??”, “Do they feel the hook?”, “What do worms taste like?”etc.
All fishing was catch, photo, and release.
The groups traveled to area ranches to fish. Operation Orphans is so appreciative to the landowners that allow these kids to come and enjoy the day. The kids which participate will have memories they will carry with them forever.
Ranches which hosted the young fishermen were McHale Ranch, Mason; Ewing Ranch, Mason; Reardon Ranch, Mason; and TADD Ranch, Gillespie. A few boys didn’t want to fish but absolutely had the best time netting everyone else's catch. Some caught big ones while some caught little ones, but everyone had a wonderful time.
At the end of the day, the groups returned to Camp Gene Ashby for a meal of fried fish, French fries, and salad. More games were played, and then it was time for bed.
The volunteers slept very well as they were exhausted from baiting hooks, retying lines, teaching casting techniques, and answering so many questions.
Operation Orphans will have a fishing camp for girls, May 16 - 17th.
Operation Orphans, Inc. is a 501©(3) organization. Operation Orphans also has hunting camps which will take place October 25 (girls), November 15, December 13, and January 10 (boys). Please visit www. operationorphans.org for more information on volunteering, donating, or hosting.