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 — no matter their story — is worthy of love, care, and compassion. That’s 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 who’ve endured abuse and neglect a chance to heal through fly fishing on the famous Snake River in Idaho.
Steve Davis (middle) is the founder of Birmingham-based nonprofit On River Time and Wendy Garner (right) is its Executive Director. They each bring experience and compassion to their roles within this nonprofit’s mission.
A trip with On River Time is so much more than just a fly fishing trip. The children are able to explore many parts of the wild West by foot, boat, and car.
Each year, On River Time leads a group of kids on 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 children’s 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 — that a group of people cares about them enough to take them on an adventure far away from home — makes a mark as impactful as the trip itself.
“On River Time shows these kids that there is hope for the future. It reminds them that they are not alone, they are loved, and that they do not have to hide in shame anymore,” Steve says. “It helps them feel important and valued. On River Time also helps the high schoolers attend college through a new college program and empowers them to boldly charge forward with the future instead of living in the shadowed past. “Because of the circumstances of their past, the Lord has given them the opportunity and testimony to make an impact in this world by helping others who have been in similar situations,” Steve adds.
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Ann Grace, a young woman who’s attended multiple On River Time trips, says “This trip has never failed to soften my heart. These last couple of months, even weeks, have been especially challenging, and it’s 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.”
Each incredible child has experienced the worst of the worst. They’re provided an unforgettable experience far away from everything they know — it’s a chance for a dramatic pivot, as they are mentored and build positive new memories to carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Another key player in bringing On River Time’s magic to life is Wendy Garner, the nonprofit’s 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. “Many 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 children’s home, kids just like them,” Wendy tells me.
“[The kids] laugh and play, share their stories, and overcome fears. We are all the ‘sum of our memories.’ For a child who carries painful memories of abuse, neglect, trafficking and abandonment, those memories are painful. On River Time camp helps to create new, positive memories to help them understand they have worth and can learn to trust and have hope again,” Wendy says.
This year, the organization will have impacted the lives of more than 110 kids with an all-expenses-paid trip to a fly fishing camp. At camp, we talk about a lot of serious topics like hope, trust, worth, and fears,” Wendy continues. “We have a campfire ceremony where we ‘burn our fears.’ Everyone writes a fear they have on a piece of paper and throws it into the fire to demonstrate that it doesn’t have a hold over them anymore. This year, one teenage boy shared that his mother and father were abusive to him. His fear was that he would grow up to be like his father. This young man is one of the kindest, gentlest souls you could meet. A few days later, at the end of camp, as we said our goodbyes, I told him I look forward to meeting his family one day, because I know he’s going to be a great husband and father.”
While the program is grounded in an unforgettable fly-fishing trip, On River Time’s mentor network supports participants throughout the year to cultivate their ability to trust and heighten their sense of value.
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On River Time is changing the lives of middle and high school-aged children who have survived abuse and neglect. And it is so much more than just the fishing trip. It’s 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 year-round reaffirm the inspiration to “dream big” that every trip out West tends to evoke.
Through donations and fundraising, On River Time also helps children access educational opportunities that would have never been possible. They have granted 14 college and career scholarships to the high school graduates of the children’s homes they serve since 2018, and they hope that number can grow.
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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