Cleanse kids' souls, teach them responsibility through nature this summer
Sunday, June 03, 2007
The kids were getting it on now. Their eyes glowed big and bright as they held squiggling bluegills from the ends of their lines. Giggles and laughter filled the sweet summer air.
A few short minutes earlier they seemed bored to death, as if they were being held against their will, which, at the time, I'm sure is exactly how they felt.
The long bus ride from Detroit was not exactly how they preferred to spend their Saturday, especially going to some white dude's farm way out in the boonies.
Most had never even heard of this Motor City Madman character, and were not quite sure if it was safe.
The fact that the trip was all organized by cops probably didn't help much. But after some nervous introductions and a calming walk through the woods to the small pond, at least getting a crack at something new in their lives seemed to liven up the atmosphere a bit. Of the 20 or so 10- to 15-year-olds here, only two had ever gone fishing before. I find that borderline criminal. But after all, I knew that to be the case, and it was the very reason we had orchestrated this little adventure.
As a DARE officer speaking at inner-city schools around the country, I can't believe the abject disconnect with nature that is so prevalent among youngsters and their parents.
Knowing for a fact that nature heals, this has become my battle cry for cleansing the souls of America's youth. The evidence is irrefutable.
My subsequent communication with many of these kids and their parents is proof positive that DARE, especially the way I present it, focusing on the stimuli of nature, works. It prods an upgrade in priorities. Nine times out of ten, the key ingredient is getting entire families into the great outdoors, where nature takes over.
More often than not, an outdoor activity like archery or taking kids fishing is the sure-fire carrot for sure-fire good, clean, hands-on fun.
This fine summer day, my busload of companions just happened to be all black kids from downtown Detroit.
Motown sits on the fishing heaven Detroit River, yet these kids had never experienced this perfect pastime and lesson in conservation. That's a tragedy that we were not going to allow to continue.
Legendary baseball icon and good hunting buddy Kirk Gibson and I worked with fellow DARE officers of the Detroit Police Department to turn these citified boys and girls on to the joys of hunting and fishing. Through our Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids nonprofit charity, we put together buses, fishing gear, some barbecue and picnic supplies and simply made it happen.
Once each kid got the hang of it, things went from dejected, tuff-kid frowns to full-on explosive, uninhibited kid fun at its finest. You wouldn't have believed they were the same kids.
With teary eyes, some of the officers and parents shook their heads to see such unleashed happiness all around us. Fishing is thrilling enough. But when the kids just kept hauling in panfish after panfish, the next natural steps of scaling, filleting, cleaning, battering, frying and cooking put smiles on their faces.
Each child was bug-eyed with fascination at the interesting, now inescapable, easily understood lessons of renewable resource value and harvest, a brand new "wise-use" conservation consumer ethic.
Each had the clear and pragmatic awakening of instinctual resource stewardship: Our responsibility to keep our land, air and water clean so the good earth can produce delicious fish to eat, and an undeniable, powerful inner feeling of sheer joy for being a part of it all. Now, that's how American kids should get high. Uncle Ted to the rescue!
It's summertime, and the living is easy (unless of course you're going to perform 28 insane rockouts in the next 30 days!), sun is shining, and the fish are biting. Most importantly, kids are looking for fun and adventure. And we are blessed to be living smack dab in the middle of hunting and fishing heaven right here in Waco.
No excuses. Cleanse the souls! Take your kids fishing so you don't have to go fishing for your kids. It's health food on the mesmerizing tug of line. Do it. Don't let your love be a firecracker. Pull the pin on your Love Grenade. Upgrade America.
Ted Nugent is a Waco-based musician and television show host.
Comments
By mike in ohio
Jun 20, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this
Ted I will steal your truck, if you let this 42 yearold juvenile deliquent go hunting with you. Teach a boy to fish feed his soul for ever, keep up the good work You hear a lot of others talk the talk, but Ted walks the stalk
By Steven Beaty
Jun 8, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
I have also seen it first hand, kids having a blast catching fish and camping. I don't know much about Ted's non-profit organization but I know Charlie Pack host a similar fishing trip outside of Waco once a year and I would love to see more outdoor adventure events for the wonderful children of central Texas and surrounding communities. Thank you for what you do Uncle Ted.
By Rhett
Jun 7, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
Fishing is probably one of my most favorite activities. We have a tank on our property that's filled with some of the biggest catfish I've ever seen. We usually have a fish fry once a month with Friends, family and so on. Great times.
By Philip
Jun 7, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this
I agree with Kate and Jan.
Kids enjoy getting out in nature and enjoying just being part of fragile ecosystem, biological diversity, and protection of all species.
Educating our youth is the only hope of human survival.
I support Ted to get these youth out into nature where they can have the experiences that they need to develop their interests to become the environmental activists of the future, for the future of the Earth and the human race.
By Kate
Jun 6, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this
You are right Jan, we should not teach our youth to kill to have fun.
Kids are better cleansed by experiencing human solidarity with all of creation.
It is more important to educate our youth to be stewards of our resources, and to learn to live sustainable lives for the well being of the entire planet, and every living plant and animal.
By Jan Christopherson
Jun 6, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
I've witnessed kids having a great time just going out to a pond. They don't even have to fish. We feed the catfish and they are a hoot to watch.
By John Wilson
Jun 5, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Another great story Ted. Keep up the good work. Maybe the "Naysayer" will eventually take your lead and do something positive with thier resources and energy like you do. Thanks for careing.
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