YOUTH EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT
By Greg Kucharewski
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association - April 1996 Newspaper)
1996 - FORT MONMOUTH
"HOOKED ON FISHING - NOT ON DRUGS"
SEMINAR AND FISHING DERBY
A proposed fishing seminar and "Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs" program will take place again this summer at Fort Monmouth, NJ after government officials at Fort Monmouth approve the youth fishing educational classes and the Future Fishermen Foundation's "Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs" drug awareness program.
Children at Fort Monmouth will have a chance this summer to catch several species of warm water fish, thanks to the Division of Fish Game & Wildlife. Approximately one hundred children at the Fort Monmouth Latch Key Center will learn about the joys of fishing through the instruction of the J.C.A.A. Youth Education Committee and the Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife. State representatives have supported the Fort Monmouth Latch Key youth fishing program in the past and also supplied equipment along with technical expertise.
The "Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs" program will be featured as part of drug awareness and participating children will received special promotions from the local business community, when they show their current 1996 "Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs" pledge card. Last year, children at the Latch Key Center were taught species identification and proper handling methods for different species of fish by Mr. Jim Oross and Dave Wanisko from the New Jersey Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife.
The youth fishing and drug awareness program has excited several federal agencies at Fort Monmouth and their involvement has produced a model summer youth fishing program to be shared with other military installations. The young anglers will also receive information from the Jersey Coast Anglers Association's Youth Education Committee, and hands on instruction about all techniques of freshwater and saltwater angling.
Please keep in mind the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife is conducting free Project Aquatic Wild workshops for educators. To learn more about how to register for this worthwhile learning experience, please phone Larry Sarner, NJ F,G&W, - 609/748-2031.
ABU Garcia Inc., donated 25 surf fishing rods & reels to be used for surf casting instruction at Island Beach State Park. If your fishing club or organization (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or school group) would like to take advantage of using the surf fishing equipment at Island Beach State Park, please phone 908-899-8874 and leave a message. We will return your call as soon as possible and help you make the necessary arrangements to initiate a surf casting demonstration at Island Beach State Park.
YOUTH FISHING ACTIVITY
BULLETIN BOARD
The Jersey Coast Anglers Association's, Youth Education Committee, will conduct a knot tying and slide show along with a mini Pathway To Fishing program for children at the Pennsauken Hunting and Fishing Exposition, Pennsauken, NJ. The hour long program will take place Sunday, March 17, 1996 and parents are welcome to attend. Participating merchants at the hunting and fishing expo will offer special promotions at their booths for children attending the Jersey Coast Anglers Association's, Youth Fishing Seminar.
BE SAFE - HAVE FUN - ENJOY FISHING
Greg Kucharewski, a member of the Shore Surf Club, is the J.C.A.A. Youth Education Director. For information on aquatic youth education material write to: J.C.A.A. Youth Education Committee, 1201 Rt. 37 East, Suite 9, Toms River, NJ 08753 or phone the J.C.A.A. office at 732/506-6565 voice mail box #1