As school starts, a relatively new program returns at Hagerstown Elementary this September. Once a month, kids and fathers attend All Pro Dads, a Family First program that aims to strengthen father-child relationships through meaningful conversations and activities.
The morning sessions are led by HES fourth grade teacher Bruce Swallow. At 7 a.m., students and father figures arrive at the school’s cafeteria for breakfast and fellowship before the All Pro Dads Day coach begins the activities.
Sessions start with the pride moment, where dads share why they are proud of their children. In an email to WWN, Swallow said this moment reassures the kids that they know how much their adults love and care for them.
This is followed by an inspirational video on a specific topic that participants then discuss. After families have an one-on-one session, they are given a family time challenge to complete before the next gathering. Meetings close with a door prize drawing.
Swallow believes families really enjoy attending APD, whether for the meal, meaningful conversations or the prizes given away at the end. He says kids stop him once a week in the hallway asking when the next session is, or stop and ask “Aren’t you the All Pro Dad guy?”
While Swallow has led the program since 2024, his history with APD dates back to his first tenure as an HES teacher.
“I attended All Pro Dads as a father with my daughter, Ella, and my son, Evan,” Swallow told WWN. “It was a great program and my two kids looked forward to attending each month.”
After two years with HES, Swallow and family transitioned to Monroe Central Schools, where he taught for nine years. There, he founded a chapter of APD, averaging 95 dads and kids. Swallow also formed an All Pro Moms group, which saw attendance numbers reach 198.
Swallow said the APD program had dissolved by the time he returned to HES in 2024. With the help of the administration, he restarted it and averaged 55 attendees last year. He’s excited to see this year’s attendance and hopes to start an APM group as well.
“My goal of restarting this chapter of APD is to give father figures in our area an opportunity to spend some quality time with their children talking about character traits and how to build a stronger family relationship,” said Swallow.
Ryan Bane attends with his two daughters and feels it’s a good program that benefits their connection. Bane said he’s learned that communication can come in all shapes and forms.
Shawn Murphy went with his eldest son, Adam, and continues with sons Abe and Aidan. Murphy says the program is a great way to connect with his kids and reinforce some of the lessons they try to instill in them at home.
“I’ve learned there are a lot of proud fathers and father figures in our community, and for good reason,” Murphy said in an email to WWN. “I’ve also learned that my kids really like donuts and door prizes.”
Swallow has learned a lot from his different roles with APD. As a facilitator, he learned Wayne and surrounding counties are filled with giving people and businesses that are quick to donate without any connection to the school or program. And as a teacher, he’s formed relationships with students outside of his classroom and grade level.
As a father, Swallow has seen the long-term impact of the program from his own children.
“My two kids loved coming to APD with me, even when they were in junior high and high school,” said Swallow, noting how both children attended last year, with his son being a senior and his daughter a radiology school graduate.
“Seeing them at APD as two young adults told me how much they enjoyed spending time with me and how much they still loved the program,” said Swallow.
For more information, visit allprodadchapters.com/chapters/2610.
A version of this article appeared in the August 19 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
