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Youth Education Report
by Greg Kucharewski
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association May 2005 Newsletter)
WEST MARINE DONATION
On Saturday, April 16, 2005, the JCAA Youth Education Committee provided a HOFNOD and Passport to Fishing and Boating presentation at West Marine’s grand opening of their new store located in Belmar, New Jersey. Over two hundred children participated at the JCAA activity booth and received HOFNOD stickers and fishing books. We appreciate the generous donation from West Marine to the JCAA Youth Education Program and we plan to partner with West Marine at other events.
NATIONAL FISHING AND BOATING WEEK 2005
Get ready for a week on the water! National Fishing and Boating Week is June 4-12, 2005. You can be part of this annual national effort by hosting or sponsoring an official National Fishing and Boating Week event. It’s a great way to promote the joys of boating and fishing to people across the country and to turn your passion for the water into a promise for the future. Visit http://www.nationalfishingandboatingweek.org/ for event ideas, planning materials and to register your event. With the help of the Passport to Fishing and Boating Program you can even recruit volunteers that have never been fishing or boating before to help you with your event. Passport is a hands-on, interactive program designed to teach families the basic skills needed to begin fishing and boating. Materials include color posters, scripts detailing what to say and do, activity cards, a boat mat layout, and other teaching tools. To download Passport materials free of charge or to order a Passport Materials Kit, you can go to www.NationalFishingandBoatingWeek.org/Passport. Remember to register your NFBW events online. Even if you don't have full details yet, you can benefit from the free publicity being generated by our national media campaign. All you need is an event name, date, state, and contact person, and you can update event details as your event planning progresses. Don't miss out on this free promotional opportunity for your event! To receive an Event Planning kit or for more information regarding NFBW, contact Anne Minor at aminor@rbff.org or (703) 519-0013 ext 108, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation,601 N Fairfax St, Suite 140, Alexandria, VA 22314,(703) 519-0013
FISH DERBY
Cheesequake State Park is looking for volunteers to help with their June 11th Fish Derby. If you would like to help please phone Cheesequake State Park, 732-566-3208.
NEWARK BAIT AND FLY CASTERS
On Tuesday, April 5, 2005 the Newark Bait and Fly Casters invited the JCAA Youth Education Chairman to their Annual Dinner. It was nice to sit and break bread with the members of the NB&FC. Craig Lemon, Superintendent Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery, presented an informative Power Point slide show about how the trout hatchery is managed and sustains a freshwater sport fishery in New Jersey. It was a fun night with many fish stories and everyone enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow fly casters. The NB&FC Annual Dinner supports their youth fishing program and it was a pleasure to attend.
JUNIOR MATE TRAINING
The Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association is running a Junior Mate Training Program. The Junior Mate training program will begin the third week of June and run through the end of the summer. During April, members of the BHCFA met with a U.S. Coast Manager for Drug & Alcohol Programs in DC to discuss student requirements and post training instruction. This year students will be divided into 2 sections, entry-level students and students who are starting to take on more responsibility. Training leaders plan to have experienced students help the beginners “Kids Teaching Kids.” A Marine Police Officer who is state certified will provide the NJ Boating Course free for all Junior Mates. For more information please phone, 732-785-9278.
TROUT CONTEST GREAT SUCCESS
On the opening day of trout season, members of the Shark River Surf Anglers ran another successful FREE trout contest. There were plenty of hot drinks and goodies to start a morning of trout fishing. The JCAA Youth Education Committee supported the event and supplied HOFNOD fishing books, stickers, and hooks to over 300 children fishing around Spring Lake. This event is a favorite for children, because the Shark River Surf Anglers work hard to make sure quality trout are stocked for the tournament and young anglers have a better chance at catching their first fish. It was fun to watch children shout as their bobbers submerged thinking it was a bite from a trophy trout. The membership of the Shark River Surf Anglers spent a lot of time and energy to make this event a success. You can tell by the smiles on the children’s faces that everyone had fun fishing and sharing refreshments at the awards tent.
ESSAY CONTEST/BOAT TRIP
The Absecon Saltwater Sportsmen are running their third annual “Kids Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs” Middle Schools essay contest. This year’s essay is entitled, “How the inlets, bays, estuaries, and tidal rivers of the Great Egg Harbor Watershed effect and impact our lives.” They invited 32 Middle Schools encompassing 3500 7th and 8th grade students to participate and plan to select thirty students and treat them to a day long eco-system field trip aboard the charter pontoon boat, The Duke of Fluke, based in Somers Point, NJ. This Coast Guard regulated and inspected vessel is owned and operated by Captain Brooke Koeneke with his crew. This trip includes an observation tour to identify marine mammals, migratory waterfowl, and residential birds of prey located in the estuary. They also conduct two seine net operations in the inlet to collect, identify, and categorize marine sea life such as fish, shell fish, and plant life to determine the health of the local fish population as well as the water quality of the local estuaries. This year’s study will be very important considering the unfortunate oil spill in the Delaware River. The information will be forwarded to the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council. This is their second year of conducting this trip which includes area Middle School science teachers, County Park Environmentalist Greg Vizzi, and certified “Kids Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs” members of their club. The Absecon Saltwater Sportsmen will provide everything necessary for the day’s trip including shirts, hats, a full lunch and refreshments, bait and tackle, instructors and, most importantly, the hands on activities that connects students with the environment in which we live. For more information contact Larry Carlson; Certified Coordinator “Kids Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs” 922 First Street, Northfield, N.J. 08225, phone 646-7173
SAFE BOATING FOR NFBW
During National Fishing and Boating Week, members of the JCAA Youth Education Committee and NJ Chapter 12 Vietnam Veterans will present a fishing fun day for children attending the Fort Monmouth School Age Services program. Activities for the day will include “Water Works Wonders” Fish Identification Flash Cards, Boat Safety, HOFNOD and a variety of tackle demonstrations. Children will learn about National Fishing and Boating Week and how to take advantage of the many fishing and boating opportunities in Monmouth and Ocean County.
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP HOFNOD
Stafford Township School will conduct the second annual “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs” event. Cathy O’Leary is the project coordinator for the event. Over 340+ fifth grade students will test their skills fishing on Wednesday and Thursday, May 11 and 12, 2005. The JCAA Youth Education Committee will support the event by providing assistance and volunteers for the event. The program is geared to introduce youth to recreational fishing while emphasizing angling skills, environmental education, stewardship, and drug prevention. Please phone Greg Kucharewski 732-785-9278 if you would like to become a volunteer for this event. We need help!
READING RALLY
On Friday, May 20, 2005, the JCAA Youth Education Committee will present a fishing fun day at Lanes Mill School, Brick, NJ. Children will learn about aquatic education and sport fishing.
EVENT SUPPORT
The following events were supported by the JCAA Youth Education Committee by providing HOFNOD materials: Hudson River Fishing Association-Hooked on the Hudson, Piermont HOFNOD Fishing Derby, and Spring Lake Fishing Contest-Shark River Surf Anglers.