Family Tides
At just 17 years old, Mainland Regional High School student Clark Silvern has a record of public service that rivals many adults.
Fresh off earning his Eagle Scout rank in July 2024, where his community service centered on conservation, the high school senior was still looking for ways to give back to his community. This would eventually lead to bringing veterans and students together through his love of fishing.
“After getting my Eagle Scout, I wanted to do other community service,” he explained. “I had already been doing community service at the FoodBank of New Jersey.”
Soon after, Silvern began volunteering with Post Crashers, a youth-led service-learning organization affiliated with American Legion Post 295 in Northfield. Over the past 11 years, the organization has involved more than 1,000 students in initiatives supporting veterans, including efforts to address food insecurity, social isolation and housing needs. The group also supports veterans in transitional housing such as Enphront in Atlantic City and Veterans Village in Absecon.
After talking with the Post Crashers adult facilitator and his father, Chris, a Marine Corps veteran, Silvern found a way to combine his passion for service with one of his favorite pastimes — saltwater fishing.
“Usually, whenever I have free time, I go fishing,” Silvern said, noting he has been fishing since he was around 6 years old. “I fish piers, and I also fish on my kayak.”
Silvern said Post Crashers was “very supportive,” and the idea became a reality on Sunday, Sept. 7, with the launch of Salty Vets Fishing Club.
“It brings together high school students with veterans. We go fishing, and it’s based off monthly trips, shared meals and environmental stewardship,” Silvern said. “It’s to build connection, encourage healing, and inspire mentorship through the simple joy of just fishing.”
More than $2,000 in grants and donations covered gear and supplies for the inaugural fishing trip, which was held at the Longport Fishing Pier. Silvern said the local veterans “had a great time,” and breakfast sandwiches and coffee were also provided during the outing.
“We were thrilled about this first trip and extremely proud of Clark,” stated Carol Ferguson, adult facilitator of Post Crashers, in an email. “The launch of SVFC [Salty Vets Fishing Club] marked an exciting new venture, and we were grateful that Post Crashers could partner in supporting it — bringing veterans a joyful day of connection while giving our students a meaningful opportunity to serve and learn.”
Silvern put in the elbow grease rallying community support, creating promotional materials, securing funds, launching a social media page and handling logistics such as catching bait to make the event a success — no small feat for a high school senior juggling classes, college visits and extracurriculars, including Mainland’s surf and golf teams, the Fishing Club, Student Council, Key Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“The hardest part of the whole thing was getting it started, but I’d say getting prepared the night before is definitely very difficult,” Silvern said. “When you go to catch bait, everything really has to line up a certain way. So, I might have to catch it two nights before, a night before; I have to keep an eye on the forecasts. I also have to set up 12 rods and reels.”
Silvern is already thinking about how to better spread the word for next month’s trip, and he hopes to keep the club operating as long as he can, even after heading to college next year.
“The process of building Salty Vets has taught me a great deal of servant-leadership and being an active listener and prioritizing a team’s needs,” Silvern said.
The next Salty Vets Fishing Club trip will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at the Longport Fishing Pier, across from the dog beach at the base of the Ocean Drive bridge heading into Ocean City.
Those who are curious and seasoned anglers are all welcome to join. Fishing gear, bait, pizza and transportation for veterans will be provided.
Donations to support the Salty Vets Fishing Club can be made to American Legion Post 295 in Northfield in the club’s name. For more information, follow Salty Vets Fishing Club on Instagram at @svfc_295.
Madison Russ is an award-winning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area’s vibrant arts scene.
