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!