DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Many kids need positive extra-curricular activities, and one Decatur man has been hosting a fishing camp for kids ages 5 through 17.
For the past two months, Tre Smith has held a fishing camp every Sunday. He said the goal is to limit screen time and teach kids' patience through fishing.
"I feel like there are not enough people reaching out and trying to get these kids to do different things, showing them something different from the norm from where we come from," said 10-year-old Ta'Ariyah White.
Smith said when he was younger, he yearned for a positive mentor. Now, he is able to give these kids the example he always wanted.
Ta'ariyah White said she enjoyed the fishing camp. She encourages her peers to put down their devices and interact with one another.
"Nature is beautiful, that's where they can make friends, get connection, be themselves and do stuff outside instead of just being on your own. Spend time with family," said White.
Parents see the benefit as well. Natia Spates is a single mother. She said she appreciates Smith for taking the initiative to keep kids out of trouble.
"They may have a lot of negative things behind them, but it'll teach them, as they grow older, that they have something else to do besides live in the house. Besides going to the bad things in life. They can go out and they can fish and they can have peace of mind," said Spates.
The group meets every Sunday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m at Fairview Park. This Sunday was the last day of fishing camp, but Smith says the camp will return in the summer.
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