CAST for Kids Leads Eager Anglers to Outdoor Adventure

On a rainy Saturday morning in Alabama, not even the low-hanging clouds over Guntersville Reservoir could dampen the high spirts of this eager group of anglers.

Upwards of 100 people chattered with excitement as they gathered in a park pavilion to kick off the annual CAST for Kids event – or Catch a Special Thrill – where children with special needs could head out on the TVA-managed reservoir for a day of fishing.

The kids, joined by family members and expert anglers, made plenty of friends along the way.

Among those braving the rain were Willie Glover and his 9-year-old son, James.

For Willie, the event brings back cherished memories of fishing with his grandmother in their hometown of Lowndes County, Alabama. He felt grateful for the chance to make similar memories with his son.

They’ve participated in six other Cast for Kids events, landing thrills every time.

“I see how much he lights up when he gets out there on the water,” Willie said. “He loves getting in the boat and just riding."

And it never fails: When James reels in a fish, his face lights up with a smile.

“It’s amazing to see that glow on him,” Jenifer Glover, James’s mom, said. “He knows that this is his moment, and his spotlight, where he gets to do what he loves to do.”

Making Memories

The Glover family drove more than three hours for the event.

Willie donned an Alabama crimson beanie and James shielded from the rain in a bright yellow poncho. They paired with their boat captain and, following an important safety speech, picked up their poles and set out on the reservoir.

This year’s event drew 33 families and more than 70 volunteers and 35 boat captains, including church members and coaches from local high school fishing teams.

Their shared trait? A love of all things fishing and a joy for outdoor adventure.

Serving more than 10 years as the Cast for Kids eastern region director – and overseeing about 100 events each year – Jeff Barnes has seen the transformational power that fishing has on children with special needs.

Many people at the event are single parents looking to teach their kids the simple joys of fishing.

“It can be intimidating at first, but they come to our event and learn how simple it is to push a button and cast a line, or how easy it is to unhook a fish,” Barnes said.

And then, they’re hooked.

“They’re able to go back out and fish again,” Barnes said. “That’s really a wonderful thing.”

‘Hey, I Can Do This’ 

In its mission to serve people throughout the seven-state region, TVA has been a longstanding partner of the CAST for Kids Foundation.

Part of that mission includes enhancing accessibility in public areas across the Valley region, ensuring everyone feels welcome to explore the great outdoors.

“Inclusivity is everything, even in our stewardship work,” Kelvin Young, watershed representative at TVA’s Natural Resources team, said. “Building handicap-accessible piers, walkways and trails is just part of our work.

“Partnering with CAST for Kids fits right into our goal of giving people the opportunity to create meaningful memories during their youth.”

In recent years, TVA has funded all-terrain wheelchairs at Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville, Tennessee. The enterprise also funded an accessible kayak launch site at David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and partnered with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to create a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier at Kentucky Reservoir in Paris, Tennessee. 

Through these efforts, TVA helps families like the Glovers experience the benefits that come through nature, including improved health and quality of life.

“It builds faith and confidence,” Jenifer said. “I feel like they can be themselves out there. They’re not worried about what other people are thinking or judging or doing. They can just be free.”

As the Glovers wrapped up their fishing expedition, they made their way across the pier, where Willie and James were soon greeted by high fives and applause from onlookers.

James joined the other smiling children at the award ceremony, where some of them held out their hands and proudly declared, “I caught a fish this big!”

“Having a lake like Guntersville to go fishing on is a great thing. ... It has huge impacts for the life of these kids and for their confidence," Barnes said.

“It shows they have the ability to say, ‘Hey, I can do this.’”