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Youth Education Report
by Greg Kucharewski
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association January 2005 Newsletter)
HOFNOD CERTIFICATION GRANT
It’s official, during the last JCAA monthly meeting it was approved by the JCAA membership that “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs” Certification Grants will be available to JCAA member clubs. The following criteria must be met for a JCAA member club to sponsor a peson for HOFNOD Certification: 1.) The member club must be in good standing with JCAA. 2.) Fiscal year dues must be paid. 3.) Only two members from your organization can be certified per fiscal year. 4.) Your club president’s signature vouching that the grant will be spent as described in the request. 5.) Complete the HOFNOD Certification Grant Application. The first HOFNOD Certification training will take place at Jersey City, New Jersey on 15 January 2005. So what are you waiting for….Get Certified! For more information, e-mail Greg Kucharewski at gkucharews@aol.com
HOFNOD SURVEY FORM
HOFNOD Certification Grant and Survey Forms will be sent to all member clubs by Paul Smith, JCAA Membership Chairperson. Paul is expecting to send the membership dues letters by 25 January 2005. Please be sure to update your club information and complete the HOFNOD certification survey.
STEP OUTSIDE
As fishing starts to slow and after your fishing equipment is cleaned and ready for next season you might want to try another fun outdoor activity. During the winter months I start to feel closed in and there is only so much inside stuff I can handle. The past few years I started to explore other outdoor activities such as target shooting, hiking, and winter distance fly casting in the snow. Check out the Step Outside web site at www.stepoutside.org for some great ideas.
TEEN ANGLER CLUB
The angling community always welcomes new ways to introduce kids to the joy of fishing and a promising program to reach teens has come to New Jersey. The non-profit national Teen Angler organization is starting several fishing clubs in New Jersey middle schools and high schools and hoping the program will take hold and expand in the near future. Teen Angler clubs are organized by volunteer adults who provide a structured, long term program in fishing education, aquatic stewardship and what kids love most, fishing. A strong emphasis is placed on teaching safety, personal responsibility for our actions as anglers and becoming environmentally-conscious citizens. Teen angler members are required to maintain a minimum grade point average to remain active in the club. Teens eventually compete for local and national honors through a point system based on completing education sessions and structured fishing tournaments. Each club has the option of conducting their own fishing tournaments or competing in tournaments with other Teen Angler chapters in the area or even nationally. The tournaments often rely heavily on participation and partnerships with local angler clubs. More information on the Teen Angler organization can be obtained at www.teenanglers.org. Adults interested in becoming Teen Angler volunteers or fishing and boating clubs that would like to assist in providing fishing opportunities for the clubs should contact the organization president Captain Al Bernetti at 772-468-0824 or via email alb@teenanglers.org. Interested individuals can also contact the following New Jersey Teen Angler chapters in their area.
YOUTH FISHING ACTIVITY BULLETIN BOARD
OUTDOOR SPORTSMEN SHOWS
The Jersey Coast Anglers Association's Youth Education Committee will feature special youth education seminars at upcoming sportsmen shows. Participating merchants at the hunting and fishing expositions will offer promotions at their booths for children attending the Jersey Coast Anglers Association's Youth Fishing Seminars. Parents are also welcome to attend.