A Day on the Water: Buckhorn Students Learn, Fish and Connect with Public Lands

What a great day on the water as Buckhorn School, Buckhorn Lake U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Kentucky Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Chapter (KYBHA) came together to give 10 students a hands-on outdoor experience as part of Buckhorn School’s Summer Camp.

The students spent the day fishing at the Buckhorn Lake Dam tailwaters, getting the chance to experience the outdoors while learning about the importance of taking care of the places that make these experiences possible.

Before hitting the water, students learned about water safety from Army Corps of Engineers officials. They talked about being safe around the lake and tailwaters, understanding the risks around moving water, and making smart decisions while enjoying the outdoors.

The day was about much more than fishing. KYBHA spent time talking with the students about public lands, why they are important, and the responsibility we have to help keep them clean, accessible and available for future generations.

For many kids, experiences like this can be the beginning of a lifelong connection to the outdoors. Getting a fishing rod in their hands, spending time outside and learning from people who care about these places helps show them that public lands belong to all of us—and that we all have a role in taking care of them.

A big thank you goes to Buckhorn School, Buckhorn Lake Army Corps of Engineers and everyone with KYBHA who helped make the day possible. Most importantly, thank you to the 10 students who came out ready to learn, fish and enjoy a day on the water.

Days like this are a reminder that conservation isn’t just about protecting land and water. It’s about getting the next generation outside, helping them build a connection to these places, and giving them the knowledge and appreciation to become stewards of them.