‘On River Time’ in the American West
Steve Davis kept a lot of things from his childhood secret until he was 35 years old. Once he finally spoke up, he devoted his life to helping other children who have survived similar abuse. This avid fly fisherman now takes hundreds of Southern kids out West to connect with healing nature.
Steve Davis was 35 years old before he was able to speak about the abuse he experienced as a child. Until then, he felt ashamed and embarrassed. Once he realized he could use his voice and his story to help others, it became his mission. In 2012, Steve was inspired to share the profound healing capacity he found in fly fishing out West. The sound of the clear rushing water. The breathtaking surrounding scenery. The excitement of learning a new skill. The feeling of accomplishment upon hooking a fish. The tranquil setting to reflect and connect with yourself and others. All of these elements created a nurturing place for Steve to heal from the trauma of abuse, and he felt called to share that with other children seeking solace from similar circumstances.
Steve believes that every child β no matter their story β is worthy of love, care, and compassion. Thatβs why he founded On River Time, a Birmingham-based non-profit organization centered on empowering children of neglect and abuse by providing them an unexpected safe haven: a fly fishing trip. Since its founding in 2012, On River Time has given children ages 9 to 16 years old whoβve endured abuse and neglect a chance to heal through fly fishing on the famous Snake River in Idaho.
Each year, On River Time brings a group of kids to their camp for a week-long fishing trip, connecting them with children facing similar issues, positive mentors, and the peaceful solace of the river. On River Time trips are comprised of youth from four different childrenβs homes: Big Oak Ranch in Springville, Alabama; Palmer Home near Oxford, Mississippi; Homes of Hope for Children near Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and Still Creek Ranch in Bryan, Texas. To know that they are worthy of a trip like this β that a group of people cares about them enough to take them on an adventure far away from home β makes a mark as impactful as the trip itself.
βFrom boarding a plane for the first time, to flying over the Tetons, to seeing the Snake River, the setting itself starts it all,β Steve Davis tells me. βWe often find that it is not the big things but the small things that can change a perspective. You rarely find hope without feeling valued. Over the years, Iβve found that β even with all thatβs around them β their highlight reel is how someone on this trip made them βfeel.β They wonβt forget that feeling β¦ ever,β he says.
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Ann Grace, a young woman whoβs attended multiple On River Time trips, says, βThis trip has never failed to soften my heart. These last couple of months, even weeks, have been especially challenging, and itβs an amazing feeling to just live and let go. I learn something new about myself every time I come back to camp. My eyes have definitely been opened about living in the moment and not being anxious about the future. The memories from On River Time camp will live in my heart forever. My faith has grown and strengthened. I am forever grateful.β
Another key player in bringing On River Timeβs magic to life is Wendy Garner, the nonprofitβs Executive Director and an award-winning television veteran who worked as a news anchor, reporter, and show host for WVTM in Birmingham as well as other stations. βMany of these kids have never been on a plane before. We take them to one of the most beautiful and majestic places in the United States, the Snake River in Idaho and the Grand Tetons outside Jackson Hole. They are surrounded by caring adults who speak life into them, and they meet new friends from another childrenβs home, kids just like them,β Wendy tells me.
The organization has sent 160 kids to On River Time camp in Idaho and has provided 40 scholarships to high school graduates since 2012. Their new program, SOAR (Success, Opportunity, Attitude, and Resiliency), teaches college-aged students life skills like interview tactics, rΓ©sumΓ© writing, business ethics and dining etiquette to prepare them to flourish as independent adults. Theyβre gearing up for the first-ever βStay and SOARβ retreat for these young adults this month at Pursell Farms.
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On River Time is so much more than just the fishing trip. Itβs the memories, the conversations, and the powerful new moments that will take over the devastating ones of the past. The continued support and mentorship of these children and young adults year-round reaffirm the inspiration to βdream bigβ that every trip out West tends to evoke.
To learn more about On River Time, go to onrivertime.org and make sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram. All photos courtesy of On River Time.
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Zoe Yarborough
Zoe is a StyleBlueprint staff writer, Charlotte native, Washington & Lee graduate, and Nashville transplant of eleven years. She teaches Pilates, helps manage recording artists, and likes to "research" Germantown's food scene.