General Information Archives - Page 2 of 15

A New Voice on the Board: Why Mike Wiley Is a Perfect Fit for Father’s Club

By Mike Davisson, Executive Director for Father’s Club

For more than three decades, Mike Wiley has poured his energy, leadership, and heart into the students and families of Olathe and the surrounding communities. As he prepares for a new chapter in life, his commitment to connection, mentorship, and community impact is only growing stronger — making him a natural fit for a deeper role with Father’s Club.

A Family Rooted in Olathe

Mike and his wife, Susan, married in 1998 and planted their roots in Olathe. Together, they’ve raised three daughters who reflect the family’s values of service, hard work, and community involvement:

Reagan — Kansas State graduate, now serving youth at KidsTLC in Olathe
Jenna — Senior at the University of Arkansas
Harper — 8th grader at Chisholm Trail Middle School

The Wiley family is deeply woven into the fabric of Olathe life — from school activities to church involvement to community events.

A Career Built on Impact

Mike’s 31‑year career in education spans teaching, coaching, and school leadership. His journey includes:

Fifth‑grade teacher in Wamego
Middle school math teacher in DeSoto
Coach of football, basketball, and golf
Administrator at Basehor‑Linwood and Turner
Eleven years as principal of California Trail Middle School

Throughout every role, Mike has been known for building relationships, empowering students, and supporting families. His leadership has shaped thousands of young lives — and strengthened the communities he’s served.

A New Chapter — With More Time to Give Back

Mike has recently retired from education and joined Susan in the real estate business, where she has served the community for 17 years. The transition brings something Mike hasn’t had in decades: flexibility. And he already knows how he wants to use it.

The Wiley family attends Church of the Resurrection, and their daughters’ involvement in sports and dance has created lifelong friendships. They volunteer annually at the Jared Coones Pumpkin Run and look for ways to stay connected to the people around them.

With more time available, Mike is eager to deepen those connections — especially through Father’s Club.

Why Mike Is a Natural Fit for the Father’s Club Board

When approached about expanding his involvement, Mike didn’t hesitate. He’s already participated in the Olathe South Father’s Club group and helped launch the California Trail Middle School chapter when he was the school principal.

That perspective of DAD, Principal & chapter starter is rare and incredibly valuable.

If added to the Board, Mike brings:

Firsthand school leadership insight
Experience launching a chapter from inside a building
Longstanding relationships across multiple districts
A deep understanding of student needs and family dynamics
A heart for service and connection

His ability to bridge the gap between schools and dads positions him to help strengthen existing chapters and support new ones as they launch.

A Leader Who Embodies the Mission

Father’s Club exists to help dads show up, connect, and make a difference in the lives of KIDS, DADS & the COMMUNITY. Mike has been doing exactly that for 31 years and he’s ready to do even more.

As he steps into this next season, Father’s Club stands to benefit from his experience, his relationships, and his unwavering commitment to helping others thrive.

Next Steps

To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!

July 9, 2026/by Father's Club

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A Record Year for the Jags: Blue Valley West Father’s Club 2025–2026

By Kevin Saylan, Chapter Chair at Blue Valley West High School for Father’s Club

The 2025–2026 school year was one of the most impactful and active years in the history of the Blue Valley West Father’s Club.

This year, our chapter hosted an incredible 51 events across the school year — a new record for our organization. These events reflected our continued commitment to supporting students, staff, and fellow members while strengthening the Blue Valley West community.

Our events fell into three categories:

34 student-related events
7 staff-related events
10 member-related events

From welcoming students at sunrise before the first day of school to celebrating seniors at the end of the year, Father’s Club remained dedicated to creating meaningful connections and supporting mental health, school spirit, and community involvement.

Supporting Students Throughout the Year

Student-focused events remained at the heart of our mission. We kicked off the year with events like Senior Sunrise, Fist Bumps for Food, Jaguar Grill, and Back to School Night, helping students feel welcomed and connected from day one.

Throughout the year, we partnered with school leaders and community organizations to support student well-being and school culture through events such as:

SOS / Suicide Prevention Week
School Assemblies with JPCo
Mental Health Awareness Poster Contest
Mental Health Awareness “Cope Cakes” Lunch
Purple Out Basketball Contest/Pizza Giveaway
Sweetheart Dance
Homecoming
Prom
Senior Sunset
Wellness Week Activities
Freshman Orientation and School Assemblies
In addition, our volunteers staffed concessions for six football games during the season, helping create memorable Friday (or Thursday) night experiences.

One of the most visible and consistent programs this year was Fist Bumps for Food, where volunteers greeted students with a fist bump and donut or mental health wristbands. These events took place multiple times throughout the year, including an outreach at CAPS, reinforcing our chapter’s commitment to kindness, service, and community care.

Mental Health Scholarship Impact

One of the most meaningful moments of the year came during Blue Valley West Class Day, where we recognized six outstanding seniors with the BVW Father’s Club Mental Health Scholarship. This year, our chapter awarded $5,500 in scholarships, ranging from $500 to $2,000. Over the past four years, the organization has now awarded a total of $24,000 to Blue Valley West seniors.

To be considered, students submitted essays reflecting on:

Their personal experiences facing mental health challenges
The ways they supported others through difficult times
Efforts to reduce stigma and improve well-being within the community

The essays were honest, courageous, and deeply moving. Students shared stories of struggle, healing, resilience, compassion, and hope. Their words reminded all of us that mental health challenges do not define a person — they are simply part of the human experience. We are incredibly proud of these students for their vulnerability, leadership, and commitment to helping others.

Supporting Teachers and Staff

Our Father’s Club chapter also continued its strong tradition of supporting the amazing teachers and staff at Blue Valley West.

Throughout the year, we hosted appreciation events including:

Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
Coffee Trailer appreciation events
Teacher Appreciation Lunch with PTO
Family Night Sportsapalooza
Staff Appreciation Week activities
End-of-Year Staff Luncheon

These events were small ways to express our gratitude for the tremendous dedication shown by BVW staff every single day.

Building Brotherhood and Community

Connection among members remained another important focus this year.

From the Father’s Club Kickoff Night in September to multiple dads socials throughout the school year, members had opportunities to build friendships, strengthen involvement, and continue growing the culture of support within our chapter.

Leadership team meetings throughout the year also helped prepare for future growth and continued success heading into the school year.

Looking Ahead

The success of the 2025–2026 school year would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers, school administration, teachers, families, students, and community partners.

Together, we created opportunities to serve, encourage, support, and connect.

As we look ahead to next year, we are excited to continue building on this momentum and finding even more ways to positively impact the Blue Valley West community.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year unforgettable. Go Jags!

Next Steps

To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!

July 2, 2026/by Father's Club

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Father’s Club Mission Cup 2026 🏌️‍♂️

By Mike Davisson, Executive Director for Father’s Club

Two Tournaments. Two Dates. Two Courses. One Mission.

TOURNAMENT #1 — FRED ARBANAS

📅 Monday, August 17th, 2026
📍 Fred Arbanas Golf Course 11100 View High Dr, Kansas City, MO 64134
⏰ 9:00 AM Shotgun Start

Register Now: https://events.golfstatus.com/event/54a1d0cf-fa85-4993-b26c-f9fc14bef6c7

TOURNAMENT #2 — SYCAMORE RIDGE

📅 Monday, September 28th, 2026
📍 Sycamore Ridge Golf Course 21731 Clubhouse Dr, Spring Hill, KS 66083
⏰ 9:00 AM Shotgun Start

Register Now: https://events.golfstatus.com/event/00626d85-c887-4845-9743-9b404bd794a6

🎯 Entry Fee – $200/player or $800/Team

Entry Fee Includes

18 holes of golf with cart
Catered Lunch
Drink Tickets – 4 per person
2 Flight Winners – Pay out 1st/2nd/3rd

On Course Contests Included

Longest Drive, Closest to Pin & Longest Putt

Optional Participation (Bring some extra cash!)

More details to come in future communications.

Contact: Mike Davisson | mdavisson@fathersclub.org | 913-414-2600

June 25, 2026/by Father's Club

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That’s a Wrap: Reflecting on an Incredible Year at Olathe East Father’s Club

By Tyler Cook, Chapter Chair at Olathe East High School for Father’s Club

As the school year winds down and the summer vibes start creeping in, it’s the perfect time to look back at what we just pulled off. To put it simply: this year was awesome.

We talk a lot about “intentionality” in Father’s Club, but this past year wasn’t just about talking—it was about showing up. Our mission has always been simple: invest in our Students, support our Community, and build real connections with other Dads.

Looking back at the calendar, we didn’t just scratch the surface. Nearly 50 Dads stepped up to the plate this year, knocking out over 50 events and opportunities across the school calendar.

The Highlight Reel: What We Did

If you saw a group of guys having fun, handing out high fives, or standing around a grill at OE this year, it was probably us. Here is just a taste of how we stayed busy:

Supporting Our Students & School Spirit

The Kickoff: We started the year right with a massive Varsity Football Tailgate, where we met other Dads, connected with students and fed fans
Friday Energy: Our monthly Fist Bump Fridays became a staple, launching students into their day with high energy (and maybe a few bad Dad jokes).
Exam Fuel: We handed out #2 pencils, positive vibes, and fist bumps on standardized testing days. We also know that students do better on tests when they have breakfast, so we brought Chick-Fil-A to keep them fed and focused on the first day of Finals
School Events: From helping with table games at OE’s Casino Night to setting up for the ELA Awards, working coat check and welcoming students at Prom, helping out at Choir Pancake Breakfasts, and partnering with students on class projects, we were there.
Won Big: We faced off against Olathe South Dads in our annual halftime showdown, winning a pizza party for our students at the OE vs. OS varsity basketball game… and no Dads got hurt!
Celebrated Seniors: We had fun setting up games and getting things ready for the offsite Senior Picnic and participated in the largest OE kickball game!

Grilling, Giving Back, and Community Partnerships

The Ultimate Grilling Crew: We fired up the grills all year long. We partnered with StuCo for the Homecoming Bonfire, the first Varsity Football game, and grilled for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week with no injuries to note other than a few burnt hot dogs and burgers
IPS Support: Some of our favorite moments involved firing up the grill for Unified Soccer, Olathe District-Wide Field Day, and end of year student and senior celebrations.
Helping Hawks Take Flight: We were incredibly proud to award scholarships to two deserving seniors who showed perseverance and resilience

Mental Health & Connections

Real Support: We deeply value our partnership with OE Counselors, supporting them during Kindness Week and collaborating on mental health and awareness efforts during the year
The Legacy Letter Challenge: We hosted this powerful initiative, teaching parents how to write meaningful, lasting letters to their graduating seniors.

Dad-to-Dad Connections

It wasn’t just about volunteering; it was about community. Our Monthly Coffee Talks, Monthly Dad Night Happy Hours and grilling together at events gave us a casual space to hang out, laugh, and get to know other Dads in the community.

The Thank You List (The Most Important Part)

An operation like this doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We owe a massive shoutout to everyone who made this year possible:

To OE Administration, Teachers, and Staff: Thank you for opening your doors, collaborating and supporting us.
To OE Students: Thanks for your smiles, your fist bumps, for laughing at our jokes (or at least politely rolling your eyes) and cheering us on. That simple stuff means the world to us.
To Moms and Families: Thank you for the constant encouragement and for pushing the Dads in your life to get involved.
To Donors: A huge thank you to every Dad, group, and business that donated in support of our initiatives. A special shoutout goes to CommunityAmerica, who joined us in our mission this year!
To Dads: Without you, none of this would be possible. Thanks for your time, your intention, and your endless support.

Simple Actions. Big Impact.

If this year proved anything, it’s that simple actions go a long way. You don’t need a ton of free time to make a difference—you just have to show up when you can. The more Dads we have on board, the larger the impact we can make for these kids.

Want to join us at Olathe East next year? Whether you can make it to one event or twenty, we’d love to have you. Reach out to me with questions, and make sure to sign up to get on our email list so you don’t miss out on future activities.

Have a great summer!

Next Steps

To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!

June 18, 2026/by Father's Club

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Maranatha Christian Academy: Father’s Club Supports Faculty with Crosswalk Duties

By Larry Dollar, Chapter Chair at Maranatha Christian Academy for Father’s Club

This semester at Maranatha Christian Academy, Father’s Club made a meaningful contribution by volunteering to cover morning crossing guard duties every Tuesday and Thursday. Their efforts allowed teachers and staff members to participate fully in faculty devotions, which are vital for fostering spiritual growth and unity among the school’s educators.

As students arrived safely under the watchful care of Father’s Club volunteers, faculty were able to gather in a supportive environment for prayer, reflection, and encouragement. By stepping up to serve in this way, Father’s Club not only promoted student safety during drop-off but also created valuable space for faculty to connect with one another and with their faith.

This initiative highlights the school community’s shared commitment to nurturing faith, building strong relationships, and supporting each other in meaningful ways. The partnership between families and staff, exemplified by this act of service, reinforces Maranatha’s collaborative spirit and dedication to spiritual and communal growth.

Next Steps

To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!

June 11, 2026/by Father's Club

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California Trail Middle School: Justin Jefferson and Dads Supporting Dads

By Robert Mitchell and Ricky Ogden

Robert’s Perspective

For years I would help at my daughters’ elementary school as a volunteer lunch aide. I’d take two hours off in the middle of the workday, go to the school and help the younger kids open milk cartons, get straws, and clean the tables for the next group. For the older kids, we had conversations, dad jokes and interactions focused on them.

Four years ago, I met a girl during lunch. Let’s call her Justin. Justin was engaging. She asked great questions and always looked me in the eyes when we spoke. She also loved wearing a Justin Jefferson Minnesota Vikings jersey. For the next three years, when I was a lunch aide, I would see Justin, and we would talk about martial arts, grades, football, and dad jokes. She went to the same school as my daughters. My daughters knew of her, but were not friends with her.

February 5, 2026

Fast forward to Thursday, February 5, 2026, the California Trail Middle School Chapter of Father’s Club was providing ice cream to all the students during lunch. That morning in our Father’s Club group text I got a message that a father in our chapter was admitted to the hospital the previous night and undergoing treatment for a serious medical condition. My heart dropped. I knew this father did not get a chance to kiss and hug his daughters goodbye that morning. Also, this father would have been at the school with us serving ice cream to his daughter, my daughter, and hundreds of other students.

The sixth graders have lunch first. In walks Justin. I greet her at her table with a fist bump. Knowing her father was in the hospital, I tell her I know he misses you and wishes he could be here for you. I could see the fear and sadness in her face as tears started to well up. With the school administrators’ permission, the group of fathers took a picture with Justin. I texted the picture to her father. Twenty minutes later, as the 6^th graders were dismissed from lunch, Justin ran across the lunchroom and gave me a hug. Then she ran out, off to 4^th hour. That was the highlight of my week. We had a divine appointment. As a group of men, we stepped in for a short amount of time and changed the temperature in the room for her.

That’s why I love Justin Jefferson.

Ricky’s Perspective

It was a Tuesday morning in early February. I woke up, did my morning routine workout, kissed my wife and daughters goodbye, and headed to a routine dentist appointment. But this day was anything but routine. As the morning went on, I didn’t feel my best but didn’t stop to really evaluate how I was doing. Fast forward to the evening right before our bedtime routine with our daughters, my wife astutely listened to my heart with a stethoscope. “I don’t like what I’m hearing” she said in a kind but firm voice.

We put the girls to bed and headed to the emergency room where I was diagnosed as being in full-blown atrial fibrillation. I was stunned, terrified, and completely at a loss. Here I was, the proud father of two amazing daughters and a devoted husband to my incredible wife of almost 19 years. And yet, there I was lying helpless in a hospital bed with one of my most basic bodily functions in complete disarray.

I was supposed to have been at my youngest daughter’s school with Father’s Club to celebrate its 30^th anniversary and then give Fist Bumps for Kindness at my eldest daughter’s school, and yet I was unable to even have a normal heart rhythm. At that moment, all I wanted to do was hug my girlies one more time.

Thankfully, my fellow brothers in Father’s Club rallied around me with their messages of support and offering to help my family. They also rallied around my daughters and made them feel supported and special when I was unable to. My medical team was able to take phenomenal care of me and get my heart back in rhythm. It was then that I got to see my girlies, hug them tight, and let them know that I was going to be alright.

I continued to receive so many messages from my fellow Father’s Club friends, sharing with me their thoughts and prayers and offering continued support for my family. I had always viewed Father’s Club as a fantastic way for dads to get involved in their kids’ lives, but this extreme experience has also shown how incredible Father’s Club is at supporting dads as well.

Next Steps

To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!

June 4, 2026/by Father's Club

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Indian Trail Middle School: Fist Bumps and The Power of Showing Up

By Brandon Dunklau, Chapter Chair at Indian Trail Middle School for Father’s Club

I’ve been involved in Father’s Club for less than a year. I have a 6th grader at Indian Trail Middle School and met Mike Davisson during 6th grade orientation. He was energetic and handing out cards about Father’s Club. ITMS Father’s Club is on its first year. Can I say it’s been wildly attended from the dads? No. But what I can say is that those that do show up make a difference. It matters! Whether it’s 2 days a year or 4 to 6 times a year, the act of showing up matters.

We were coming back from spring break when my 6th grader alerted the family that something terrible had happened, involving one of the ITMS teachers. My mind immediately went to – what can Father’s Club do? We needed to show up! And not only show up but see what we can do to pull dads from other schools together.

We held an additional Fist Bumps event, not on our typical Friday morning but on the Tuesday welcoming back students and faculty.

What meant a lot to me was seeing dads come from the various surrounding middle school and high schools. They came to support the kids and teachers as well as each other. Community – Yes! Showing up together during a more difficult time means so much.

I’m proud to be part of Father’s Club. I’m proud to be part of a movement – providing the small positive bumps/nudges we provide to the kids, to the faculty and yes – each other. I’m proud to be part of the more than 50 schools in the Kansas City Metro with Father’s Clubs that are showing up!

Next Steps

To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!

May 28, 2026/by Father's Club

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Stanley Elementary Father’s Club – Starting New Traditions

By Jason Dolezal, Chapter Chair at Stanley Elementary and Charles Dahm, Blue Valley District Chair for Father’s Club

The Stanley Elementary School Father’s Club wanted to give the students a memorable Spring Break sendoff. They showed up, along with Blue Valley High (BVH) Student Council (StuCo) members to give out fist bumps, high fives and of course BUBBLES??!?

And bubbles were everywhere — bubble wands, mini bubbles, chalk bubbles drawn on the sidewalk and bubble machines. Students were encouraged to jump on the drawn bubbles and “pop” into spring break. High winds carried bubbles down the block as the dads greeted the students, parents, and teachers on the eve of spring break.

Jason Dolezal, the Stanley Elementary Father’s Club Chair and a teacher at BVH knows that small acts of intentional connection can help spread joy and a sense of community. “We just wanted to put a smile on their faces and wish them a fun Spring Break.”

He says, “We are hopefully starting traditions that will become a part of the Stanley Culture. High school clubs have begun to assist us as well. In addition to StuCo – Students Assisting Schools, Tiger Pride, and National Honor Society have been great partners.”

Laurie Warwick the BVH StuCo sponsor said, “The students are always excited to do projects with the elementary school kids. Father’s Club dads are excellent role models for our group. Our #1 goal is to help our members be good humans and these dads were demonstrating that today.”

The Stanley Elementary Chapter is rolling into the summer with more events for teachers, students and dads including a night at World of Racing, a teacher appreciation night, and a PTO appreciation charcuterie and lemonade bar among MANY other activities.

The bubble sendoff was a big success and is likely to become an annual event. One mom gave high praise with her short affirmation, “This is so cute!”

Would you like to join in the fun? You won’t regret it!

Next Steps

To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!

May 21, 2026/by Father's Club

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Hey Coach! Father’s Club Keeps You Connected to Your Kids

By Jeff Tischer, Interim Co-Chair at California Trail Middle School for Father’s Club

When I was a kid, I was blessed to have my father in my life. Even though he traveled often for work, he was my coach in Baseball, Basketball and Soccer. Looking back on my childhood, I am so thankful for my dad and all that he did for me, my friends, and the teams I played on. Even today, I have friends that share fond memories with me of my dad coaching them as kids. He set a great example of what a great father is… Loving, present, active, challenging and giving me morals and ethics that apply to both sports and life.

When my kids came of age to play organized sports, I was hesitant to coach. I had heard all the horror stories of complaining parents, politics and drama. I didn’t want to voluntarily deal with all of that. But after jumping in to help my son’s soccer team, I fell in love with coaching. I loved to connect with the kids and push them to be better. Over the years, I coached both my son’s and daughter’s teams in Soccer, Basketball, Flag Football, Golf and Baseball.

I was blessed to coach so many great kids and meet so many great parents.

I even connected with several players siblings and built great relationships with them. Skill levels varied over the years, but my goal as a coach was to have each player and team improve from the beginning of the season to the end, and to play the game the right way. As the kids got older, I often talked with them about life lessons and how sports can teach us all about hard work, commitment and putting the team first.

We won a few trophies over the years, and we had other teams finish at the bottom of the standings. But I made sure my teams were going to play the right way, respect the game, and respect our opponents, regardless of the possibility that their actions and goals could be different than ours. And we came across several of those teams, players, and parents.

Continuing to Connect with Kids

Now that my kids have gotten older, and narrowed their list of activities, I am no longer coaching. But I am so thankful for Father’s Club, as it has allowed me to continue to connect with my kids and kids at their schools.

It is rewarding to get that smile and fist bump in the morning while wishing them a good day at school. It is rewarding to connect with some quieter kids over their lunch break. It is rewarding to be out at the grocery store and run into kids that recognize me and come up and give me a fist bump. It is rewarding to have teachers and staff thank us and share how Father’s Club days are so impactful for the students. It is especially rewarding to have former players give me fist bump, and a “Hey Coach!”

I am thankful and proud to be part of Father’s Club as it allows me to continue to connect with my kids, and kids in our community after coaching. If you haven’t joined a Father’s Club event yet, I strongly encourage you to join one soon. Put it on your calendar and show up. I promise you will enjoy your time, and you will get something positive out of it personally. You will also make a strong impact on your kids, and other kids at their schools.

Jeff Tischer 👊
“It’s always a great day when it’s a Father’s Club day!”

Next Steps

To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!

May 14, 2026/by Father's Club

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How 6 Dads and 1 Uncle Strengthened Bonds on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

By Jason Terry, Board Member for Father’s Club

Fatherhood can feel isolating. Between work deadlines, kids’ sports schedules, school events, and the daily grind, it’s easy for men to go months—or even years—without having real, meaningful conversations with other fathers. We share the same struggles, the same joys, and the same quiet fears, yet we rarely make space to connect.

That’s exactly why seven of us decided to do something different. Last month, we left our homes, responsibilities, and routines behind for four days in Kentucky to experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail together. What started as a trip to taste some of America’s finest whiskey quickly became something much deeper: an intentional effort to build real community and stronger relationships as fathers.

Quick note, the reason there is “1 Uncle” in the title of this blog is that my wife and I decided not to have kids. But I am the proud uncle of my nephew who is currently a Sophomore at Olathe South.

Why Fathers Need Community

As dads, we often carry heavy loads in silence. We’re expected to be providers, protectors, leaders, and examples—all while navigating our own challenges. The truth is, many of us are starving for brotherhood. Not the superficial kind that revolves around sports scores or work complaints, but the kind where we can speak openly about raising teenagers, balancing marriage and fatherhood, dealing with failure, and celebrating the small wins that no one else sees.

This need is one of the important goals for Father’s Club: to give dads a place to belong, grow, and support one another. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail trip was one of the ways we could live that mission out loud.

Four Days That Changed Everything

From the rolling hills of horse country to the historic distilleries of Louisville, Bardstown, and Frankfort, the seven of us traveled, talked, laughed, and listened.

Early mornings turned into deep conversations over coffee. Long drives between distilleries became spaces for vulnerability. Evenings were filled with storytelling, honest reflections on our lives, and plenty of good-natured ribbing. We weren’t just sampling bourbon—we were sampling each other’s lives.

We shared stories about:

The pressure of providing for growing families
The challenge of staying present when work never stops
The joy of watching our kids become their own people
The fear of repeating mistakes our own fathers made
The unexpected beauty of ordinary moments with our children

Turning Good Times into Greater Impact

While we were there, we hunted for special, rare, and collectible bottles—some limited releases, some single-barrel gems, and a few true unicorns. These weren’t just souvenirs. Some of the bottles we carefully selected were auctioned off at our Kentucky Derby Watch party that happened on Saturday, May 2nd. 100% of the proceeds from the auction go directly back into Father’s Club, supporting our efforts to help more dads build the kind of community we experienced on this trip.

Jason Moxness was the primary leader for our Kentucky trip. He is also the organizer behind the Kentucky Derby Watch Party event. I asked him during our drive to Kentucky why he is supporting Father’s Club in multiple ways. Here is what he said…

“My kids are out of school now, so my reason for supporting Father’s Club has been more about the dad relationships. Dads need the support of other men to become the best versions of themselves. I love the idea that ‘Iron Sharpens Iron’ and Father’s Club is a great environment where that can happen. I believe in the mission of Father’s Club to help kids on their journey through their early school years. I also know that our community will be better off with thousands of men coming together to support these kids while supporting each other.” – Jason Moxness

I loved that! I too believe the strength of Father’s Club begins with the strength of our bonds with other fathers in our chapters. We’re able to come together from a place of strength to support our kids during some of the most formative and challenging years of their lives. Elementary school. Middle school. And High school.

The Kentucky Derby Watch Party was a Big Success!

On May 2nd, we held the Kentucky Derby Watch Party at the Carriage Houses of Johnson County near De Soto, Kansas. This was our 2nd annual event, and we had a great turnout. We had a food truck and DJ, watched the race, had a bourbon auction (with many of the bottles we found in Kentucky) and had a great time together. All of the proceeds of this event will be donated to Father’s Club. The event raised over $10,000 dollars for Father’s Club!

The Power of Intentional Brotherhood

Community doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through shared experiences, honest conversation, and a willingness to show up as your full self—not just the polished “dad” version. When fathers connect with other fathers, something powerful happens. We realize we’re not alone. We gain perspective. We find encouragement. We become better men, better husbands, and better dads.

If you’re a father reading this, I want to challenge you: Don’t wait for community to find you. Create it. And what better place to start than a Father’s Club chapter at your kid’s school? But it’s not just the events at school that make all of this work. There needs to be a real effort to get to know the other dads that are involved. Plan a simple dinner, a hike, or a regularly scheduled coffee or breakfast. The activity matters less than the intention behind it. The more time you spend with other dads in your Father’s Club Chapter, the stronger your chapter will become.

Join the Movement

At Father’s Club, we’re building something real—relationships that outlast trends, community that actually supports growth, and a network of men committed to becoming the best versions of themselves for their families. Because the best legacy we can leave our children isn’t just what we provide for them—it’s the kind of men we become while raising them. And sometimes, that journey starts with six dads, one uncle, a few great bottles, and the open road through Kentucky.

Next Steps

To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!

May 7, 2026/by Father's Club