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A New Refreshing Take On 'Take a Kid Fishing!'

Posted 5/2/2008 2:54 PM (#316404)
Subject: A New Refreshing Take On 'Take a Kid Fishing!'

Posts: 32934

Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin

I was fortunate enough to be invited to take part in a Walnut Middle School afternoon and evening function in Grand Island, Nebraska. Doug Westerby of the Boat Dock in Grand Island is familiar with MuskieFIRST from our contacts, and invited me to take part in the program working with his brother, Jeff, who is a Counselor and is one of the administrators of the program.

The event, sponsored by the Walnut Outdoors and Kids Club was titled:

'The 5th Annual Tr-City Kid's Outdoor Expo'
And it was...big time! The Club is comprised of approximately 75 Walnut students, and four adult sponsors. The Club meets twice weekly, and offers several mini-trips and one overnight camping trip at no cost to any student willing to learn a bit about the Great Outdoors. The Curriculum includes:
Fishing
Outdoor Cooking
Wildlife viewing
Camping SkillsCanoeing
Outdoor Photography
Fish Identification
Boating Safety
Conservation

There were literally hundreds of Kids in attendance at the 3 hour event with many parents in tow, and interestingly, more were casting fishing rods, practicing with Compound Bows, learning about nest box construction, learning how to use a fly rod, talking with experts about fishing and hunting, etc. than were playing the big fishing video game on a big screen TV, by a LONG shot. ATV displays, Tuffy and Mirro Craft boats on display, Fisherman Zach, a regular OutdoorsFIRST contributor from over at WalleyeFIRST in his rig explaining what the gear is for and what it's like to fish competitively, and MUCH more was available to spend that three hours exploring.

Funds to operate this Club are raised through raffles, sponsorships, and concessions. Ted Takasaki provided a TON of gear and fishing stuff at very little cost, many donated materials and time; Overall, this was what can only be considered a MODEL event run by a MODEL Club that every Middle School in every city in the US should consider. Most of the students attending would never be familiarized with the Out of Doors if not for the Club, and most will pass on their new found interest to friends and family, and perhaps later in life to their own children. It is COOL to be a fisherman/fisherwoman with these kids, an Outdoorsman, an Archer, and more. REALLY cool. I never saw a single IPod in use, either.

I'm posting a few images from the event, and a poster with the contact info if you are a Student, Teacher, or Parent interested in starting a group like this in your area.

I had a great time, thanks to Jeff and Doug Westerby, Walnut Middle School, and the Boat Dock, and will be back next year for another seminar and a couple hours with the Students.