Special Thrills on the Tenn-Tom
By: Art Pasley
For the third week in a row, as I prepared to leave for another great C.A.S.T. event with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, I awoke to the pitter patter of little rain drops pounding everything in sight. Park Ranger Ben Davis and company had every detail planned and prepared for as we set out to greet the 38 children with disabilities from the surrounding areas. It was a great relief to all when the storm clouds moved out of the area.
As everyone gathered in the auditorium of the Jamie L. Whitten Historical and Educational Center, Ranger Davis welcomed all the return participants, as well as many new faces to the center, and provided a brief history of the facility. For most, it was their first visit to the center and the Tenn-Tom Waterway. "Your safety", he began, "is very important to us", as Buddy the Beaver made his way into the room. With Buddy the Beaver by his side, Ranger Davis taught the young participants about water safety and the proper selection and use of personal flotation devices. "As you can see" announced Davis, "Buddy wears his life jacket anytime he is near the water".
After the kids had a chance to hug Buddy and pose for a picture, everyone made their way down the long scenic walkway to the fishing pier. As they dropped their baited hooks over the side of the pier, and a few more daring participants attempted to cast their baits beyond view of everyone else, the Pontoon boat rides started taking all willing participants on a ride down the river.
"This is the most wonderful program I have ever attended" stated the parent of one of the children. "We just don't have very many opportunities to do something like this. My daughter is having a great time" she concluded. "I caught one!" was heard as another catfish was hoisted over the railing of the pier.
Soon everyone moved from the pier to the pavilion for a hot dog lunch and prizes. Plaques with their picture inserted were awarded to every participant as they eagerly made their way through the crowd to receive recognition for their efforts. "I had so much fun" offered a young lady named Catherine. "I didn't know how to fish before I got here today. I really had fun", she stated as she accepted her plaque.
I often wonder just what kind of impact we have on the participants at a C.A.S.T. event. Last year at Fulton, I met a young man named Adam. In little more than a year, it seemed he had made great strides in his confidence and communication skills. Was it because he went to a C.A.S.T. event last year? I doubt that it was the primary factor, but maybe it helped by giving him a little more confidence to try other things.
As Ben Davis, Garvin Grey, Buddy the Beaver and the rest of the Corp staff wished everyone a safe trip home, I myself was already in route to the next event where another group of Special People, would soon be greeting another group of Special kids and helping them "CATCH A SPECIAL THRILL"
|
(Click on a picture to enlarge)
|
