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The dictionary defines adventure as: an exciting or remarkable experience.

Today it seems that adventure for a kid means a new web-site or downloaded video game, many of which do not instill positive images into young minds. This is not only a statistic, it is becoming a genuine health concern.

This weekend will be sort of a holiday for the residents and guests of Michigan. It’s free fishing weekend, one of two weekends per year set aside for those who have never fished before, or those who have left the sport and hope to return. The real intent is to introduce a youngster to fishing and see if they truly have interest, prior to making any extensive money investment.

To compliment the opportunity to fish along some of 3,000 miles of Great Lakes Shoreline, 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of rivers, participants can take part in special events throughout the Upper Peninsula this weekend, one in particular is “Kid’s Fishing Day” in the Hiawatha National Forest.

The US Forest Service (USFS) / Hiawatha National Forest personnel, working in partnership with other organizations that include the Bay deNoc Great Lakes Sport Fishermen, Wildlife Unlimited of Delta County and Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, along with many volunteers and civic organization, have presented Kid’s Fishing Day for nineteen years at Camp 7 Lake in the Hiawatha.

According to Anne Okonek form the USFS, “This free fun-filled day is designed for children 16 years of age and under who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. The day’s events will include a casting contest, raffle prizes, free food, and two trout ponds for kids ages 12 and under. Smokey Bear will be there as well so parents are urged to bring a camera to get pictures of Smokey with the youngsters.

All of those children who register will receive a drawstring backpack of ‘fishing goodies’ donated by fishing tackle manufacturers, and they’ll also be eligible for free raffle prizes which include fishing rods, reels, tackle and other prizes donated by local businesses and civic organizations. The free food is donated by local merchants from Manistique, Escanaba, Gladstone and Rapid River will be served by the Bay deNoc Great Lakes Sport Fishermen.”

I have seen, first hand, the excitement on the faces of children and their first catch, who have lived their entire life in the UP yet had never previously held a fishing pole much less caught a fish.

Therein lies the sense of adventure. It is constructive activity and provides youth fun and education regarding our eco-system and food sources when utilizing our natural resources, not to mention it is just plain fun.

Kid’s Fishing Day is one of 84 events taking place across the country tomorrow, as part of the Second Annual National Get Outdoors Day.

“To combat the threats posed by today’s indoor, inactive lifestyles - such as the growing obesity epidemic and the projection that today’s kids will live shorter lives than their parents due to lifestyle choices - Go-Day encourages Americans, especially our youth, to seek out healthy, active outdoor lives and embrace our parks, forests, refuges, and other public lands and waters.”, again according to Okonek.

Kid’s Fishing Day is a good excuse for you as an adult to break away from the stressors of day-to-day living and enjoy some quality time with you children. It is amazing how when together, the youth open up with questions and comments, something missing in many of today’s families. It’s pretty therapeutic for those of us who are older as well. Maybe it will rekindle a twinkle in your eye that has been absent since you’ve devoted so much of you adult life in providing for your family.

The Hiawatha National Forest is also sponsor of several other seasonal activities presented throughout the year as part of their contribution to the “Leave No Child Inside” program.

Kid’s Fishing Day will take place rain or shine so dress accordingly. This is also a good opportunity to teach a youngster about preparedness, having the right clothing and gear in the event weather changes. It will add to the anticipation realized by many a outdoors sportsman and woman as their favorite season comes near. It will be certain to etch memories that will be carried forward, keeping your spirit alive for generations to come.

The official start of Kid’s Fishing Day will begin with registration and the events will begin at 11: AM and will run until 1:00 PM in the Camp 7 Picnic Area.

For families traveling from the Manistique area, Camp 7 Lake Campground is located 4 miles west of County Road 437 (the Thunder Lake Road) on County 442. For families traveling from Escanaba, Gladstone and Rapid River, Camp 7 Lake Campground is located 8 miles east of Federal Forest Highway 13 on County Road 442

They’ve had record numbers of kids attending the Kid’s Fishing Day over the past several years. It’s no wonder. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of an opportunity to start off on a life time of adventures that got its start with just a few hours of fellowship.