THE FIRST Badges and Bobbers event brought together local families, first responders, and community partners for an evening centered on fishing, connection, and building relationships. More than 150 children attended, with 138 officially registered, and organizers estimated total attendance at approximately 500 people, including parents, volunteers, and community members.
Badges and Bobbers was a collaborative effort between the Franklin County Prevention Coalition, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The event was created to encourage children and families to spend time outdoors while strengthening relationships between first responders and the community they serve.
“We wanted to promote getting outside while helping break the stigma between first responders and the general public,” said Officer Chuck Stines. “If we didn’t break that stigma at this event, we sure put a huge crack in it.”
Everything needed to participate was provided at no cost, including fishing equipment, bait, and worms. Each child received a meal and took home a fishing pole, allowing families to continue enjoying the outdoors long after the event.
Throughout the evening, children had the opportunity to fish alongside deputies, wildlife officers, and volunteers in a relaxed setting. For many participants, it was their first time catching a fish — moments that became highlights of the event as children proudly shared their accomplishments with organizers and volunteers.
For Stines, those first catches were what made the evening especially meaningful. “I had kids come up to me and tell me they had just caught their first fish,” he said. “To me, that’s what life is all about, being able to be part of a child discovering something new.”
Beyond the fishing itself, the event created opportunities for meaningful conversations and positive interactions between families and local first responders. Organizers hope to make Badges and Bobbers an annual tradition that continues to grow, providing a free, family-friendly way for children to enjoy the outdoors while strengthening connections throughout the Franklin County community. GN
