About Us

Bridging Gaps, Finding Passions, Strengthening Minds Through the Outdoors.

At Family Tines, we are a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mental health primarily through outdoor activities. We recognize the importance of staying active and the financial and experiential gaps that can prevent individuals from pursuing their passions. Whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking, or engaging in individual or team sports, our mission is to keep people active, regardless of their age and ability, with the goal of fostering better mental well-being.

In a country as prosperous as ours, no individual should be unable to participate and excel in activities that engage them and ignite their passions. At Family Tines, we strive to bridge this gap, making it easier for people of all ages and abilities to discover and pursue activities that make them feel alive. Family tines comes from the lasting friendships and connections we make through activities.

STUDIES

Recent peer-reviewed studies highlight the significant mental health benefits of spending time outdoors. Research from the University of York shows that engaging in outdoor, nature-based activities can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and foster positive emotions.

Recent studies have highlighted the positive impact of youth sports participation on mental well-being. For example, research published in PLOS ONE involving over 11,000 U.S. children and adolescents found that organized team sports were associated with a lower incidence of mental health difficulties, including anxiety and depression. This suggests that team sports can provide significant mental health benefits due to their social and cooperative nature

Additionally, a systematic review in *BMC Public Health* examined various sport-based youth development interventions. The review indicated that structured sports programs, particularly those grounded in positive youth development principles, could enhance youth outcomes such as self-worth, social skills, and emotional regulation

Another study focused on socially vulnerable youth showed that sports participation was linked to improved behavioral and school performance, subjective health, and overall well-being. This study underscored the importance of sports in fostering a sense of coherence and self-regulation skills among youth facing personal and developmental challenges.

These findings collectively support the role of youth sports in promoting mental health and well-being, highlighting the multifaceted benefits of physical activity and structured sports programs for young people.

Here are the sources that support the benefits of youth sports participation on mental well-being:

Sources:

1. **PLOS ONE Study**:

   - This study explored the relationship between organized sport participation and mental health among U.S. children and adolescents, finding that team sports were associated with a lower incidence of mental health difficulties.

   - Source: [PLOS ONE](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0254565)

2. **Systematic Review in BMC Public Health**:

   - This systematic review examined sport-based youth development interventions in the U.S., indicating that structured sports programs based on positive youth development principles could enhance outcomes like self-worth and emotional regulation.

   - Source: [BMC Public Health](https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-11860-w)

3. **Study on Socially Vulnerable Youth**:

   - This study investigated the relationship between sports participation and developmental outcomes in socially vulnerable youth, showing improvements in behavior, school performance, subjective health, and well-being.

   - Source: [BMC Public Health](https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-11729-y)