Muskingum County Mentor Uses Fishing to Support Teens
A mentor in Muskingum County, Ohio, has started a program that uses fishing as a tool to help teenagers navigate life's challenges. The initiative aims to build confidence and teach life skills through outdoor activities.
- The program is part of a broader, nationwide initiative called "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" (HOFNOD), which was developed by the Future Fisherman Foundation. - The HOFNOD curriculum uses the development of angling skills as a gateway to teach adolescents about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and to help them deal with life's challenges. - Beyond just fishing, the program's topics often include fish biology, environmental impacts, and specific life skills. - A similar local initiative in Muskingum County, called "Get Kidz Hooked," was started by Solomon Curtis and has been running for four years as of March 2025. - Participants in these types of programs often receive the necessary equipment to continue fishing on their own after the program concludes. - The national HOFNOD network includes trained aquatic education professionals in over 30 states, creating thousands of local programs. - In nearby Morgan County, a HOFNOD event involved partnerships with major local entities like AEP, the Wilds, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife, indicating strong community support for such programs.
