Fathers, grandfathers and father figures enjoyed a morning of fishing with their children and grandchildren Saturday at Miller Park Lake in Bloomington.
The event, titled “A Father-Child Fishing Fun Day,” was organized by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the McLean County Fatherhood Coalition, a group within the Central Illinois-based social service agency Brightpoint. Snacks were provided as well as fishing gear for everyone who attended.
According to Brightpoint’s program manager, Earl Kloppmann, the organization aims to provide services to families, largely focused on early childhood education. Kloppman said Brightpoint created the McLean County Fatherhood Coalition in 2018.
“We were looking for ways that we could bring more fatherhood services to Central Illinois,” Kloppman said. “When we did research, we found that there was not one single identifiable father-specific program in all of McLean County. We brought community members together to form the coalition, and through our meetings, we then began to give birth to programs that are father-specific.”
Kloppmann said the coalition holds meetings every month.
“One of the things we try to do is keep everybody up to date on the resources for dads in McLean County because most fatherhood services are fragmented and people don’t know about them,” Kloppmann said.
Kloppmann said the group has seen a lot of growth and excitement to further advance their cause among members. He shared some of the ideas that have come about during meetings.
“We have started fatherhood skills workshops [and] we have a father support group. We would love to engage all of McLean County to better engage fathers so that they have the support they need,” Kloppmann said.
“Early on in our coalition, we held focus groups to find out, ‘What do dads in McLean County want?’ And one of the things was they were looking for more father-child specific events. And so it was out of those focus groups that this event was born,” Kloppmann continued.
Mechanic James Kirk came to Miller Park Lake to fish with his granddaughter, Jovie.
“My granddaughter called me and asked me if I could take her in place of her dad because they were going to be out of town this weekend, and of course I said yes,” Kirk said. “I love fishing, and I love spending time with the grandkids, so this was perfect.”
While Kirk had not been familiar with the McLean County Fatherhood Coalition or Brightpoint prior to the Fishing Fun Day, he said he admires what they do.
“I think it’s [especially] awesome to get fathers and their kids out,” Kirk said. “Fathers tend to be absent more because they’re working, and I just think it’s just a great way to get kids outside … get them involved in things. Fishing is one of my favorite pastimes, so I like passing it on to younger generations.”
Kirk said other activities such as hiking, birdwatching and sack racing are things he would like to participate in with his grandkids.
“Literally any activity that gets parents—and especially fathers—outside with their kids I think is awesome,” Kirk said. “Even just a day at the park with lunches and games or raffles or something just to draw people. Anything they can do to get people outside and families together is awesome in my book.”
Brightpoint and the McLean County Fatherhood Coalition hold similar events every year, with the “Father-Child Fishing Fun Day” being an annual event.
“I would just encourage any father to spend any time you can with your children, especially outside. Fishing, biking, walking, camping—whatever it is you enjoy doing—just get outside and take your kids with you,” Kirk said.
