By: Dr. Charles Sidman

Teaching Kids to Fish with Kathleen Elliot

When a kid learns to cast a line into the water, they are doing far more than fishing, they are reaching for confidence, self-reliance, and a deeper understanding of their place in the world. At the heart of the Mahogany Youth Corporation’s Teach a Child to Fish program is this very transformation, where life lessons rise to the surface alongside the catch of the day. Teaching kids to fish is the “Hook” the program uses to get the youth’s attention.

The Power of Fishing

Through partnerships with industry, ocean science and outreach professionals including Florida Sea Grant, Fish Florida, National Christian Foundation, Miami Dade County Miami Dade Schools, Teach a Child to Fish brings together environmental education and character development to teach kids fishing. When provided access to fishing gear and opportunities to learn about the outdoors, children flourish as stewards and advocates for environmental sustainability. Their empowerment generates a multiplier effect, as they mature into mentors and role models who perpetuate environmental stewardship within their communities.

Interview with Kathleen Elliott

Kathleen Elliot is a co-founder of Mahogany Youth Corporation, whose mission is to empower youth and expand their possibilities through teaching them to fish and enjoy the outdoors. In the past decade they have provided more than 12,000 transformative outdoor experiences for youth. Dr. Charles Sidman, Associate Director for Research with Florida Sea Grant, interviewed Kathleen Elliot to learn more about the organization’s mission to empower youth through outdoor experiences.

What inspired you to expand the Teach A Child to Fish program, and how has your perspective as a woman shaped the way it’s run?

When my husband, Robert O’Bryant, founded Mahogany Youth Corporation (MYC) in 1994, he recognized a critical gap in outdoor engagement among underserved youth in our community. In response, he created the Teach a Child to Fish programming initiative that began with simple fishing trips and park clean-ups but quickly evolved into a powerful tool for environmental education and personal development – teaching youth responsibility through direct interaction with the environment.

I joined MYC twelve years later, and in 2010, the program expanded significantly through a grant from The Children’s Trust, allowing us to integrate Teach a Child to Fish into multiple Miami-Dade middle schools. I began teaching at Richmond Heights Middle School, where I was met with a new challenge: adapting the curriculum to effectively support and engage ‘at risk” kids—many of whom lacked safe, supportive spaces to grow emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

In this context, fishing has become more than a recreational skill. It is a metaphorical framework for teaching life skills: patience, focus, resilience, and confidence. We’re not simply teaching them how to bait a hook. We’re teaching them how to believe in themselves, to make positive choices, and to see the outdoors as a space where they are welcome, capable, and powerful. Mothering came naturally to me, and that instinct now extends to guiding children to find joy, confidence, and peace in nature. Creating a safe, supportive environment where they can explore both the world around them and the strength within them remains at the core of everything we do.

 

What changes have you seen in children who’ve gone through Mahogany Youth’s Teach a Child to Fish program—from their first fishing trip to later stages of growth?

It’s a powerful transformation to witness. We’ve had kids enter the program shy, withdrawn, or even carrying anger and frustration. But over time, they begin to open up. They find their voice—speaking confidently in front of groups, participating in, and even leading, community clean-ups, and mentoring younger participants. I’ve seen kids go from never having touched a fishing rod to standing proudly at a podium, sharing their personal conservation stories. It’s quite moving.

 

What message would you share with others who want to inspire youth to be future caretakers for our ocean environment?

Don’t wait for the perfect moment or for everything to line up. Start today—right where you are. Whether it’s in your yard, a local park, or even at your workplace, begin with what you have. A park, a shoreline, a free Saturday afternoon, these are all opportunities to connect with nature. Show up with love, consistency, and a willingness to engage, especially with your children and their friends.

Begin to see environmental education as a natural part of everyday life. Choose products that are environmentally friendly and take the time to explain why those choices matter—not just what they are. Share this knowledge with your family and community. Talk about recycling, conservation, and sustainability in ways that make sense and feel doable.

 

What are your hopes for the next generation of kids growing through Teach a Child to Fish?

I hope these children grow into confident adults who lead with compassion and courage—women who protect the world they’ve learned to love. I want them to walk into any space—whether it’s a classroom, a boardroom, or a boat dock—and know, without question, that they belong.

I hope my mother’s legacy lives on through them—that her love for nature, her passion for education, and her spirit of resilience ripple outward. And ultimately, I want the world to be a better place because they were given the chance to rise to their fullest potential.

 

Teaching Kids to Fish Responsibly

A central goal of the Mahogany Youth Corporation is to instill strong environmental ethics in children at an early age, using fishing as a hands-on teaching tool. These young anglers represent the next generation of stewards who will engage with marine environments, making it essential that they learn proper catch-and-release techniques from the start. While most children begin fishing inshore, many will eventually venture farther offshore—where programs like Return ‘Em Right focus on sustainable fishing practices. By building a foundation of conservation values early on, there’s a greater likelihood that these future anglers will consistently apply best release practices throughout their lives, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of our fisheries.

 

Resources for Anglers of Any Age

Whether you’re casting a line for the first time or have years of experience on the water, there are valuable resources available to help anglers of all ages and skill levels reduce their impact on the environment. It’s never too early—or too late—to improve your release techniques and boost the survival rates of the fish you catch.

Below is a list of helpful tools and educational materials available to support every angler on their conservation journey:
Return ‘Em Right Barotrauma Education Module
Return ‘Em Right Best Release Practices
Florida Friendly Angler Program
Mahogany Youth Corporation