This year Mike and Debbie Bennett of Boating Education and Rescue (B.E.A.R.) received the 2018 Youth Education Award at the JCAA Sportsperson of the Year Dinner. We appreciate all the hard work that Mike and Debbie do to teach our young people about NJ HOFNOD, conservation and protecting the environment. The couple organized fishing derbies, archery programs, and environmental activities at local parks for school age children and their families. Along with providing programs for special needs children, disabled veterans, and active duty military, they travel to schools throughout New Jersey and teach youngsters about aquatic education programs.
Congratulations to Mike and Debbie Bennett
During the remainder of this year B.E.A.R. will assist Tim Brennan, Health and Physical Education teacher at Brick High Schools NJ HOFNOD programs that are in the curriculum at both Brick high schools.
The JCAA Sportsperson of the Year Dinner was very well attended. We appreciate all the support from our sponsors and friends that joined us for an evening of celebration and fun.
New Jersey DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife’s NJ Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) training sessions will start again in 2019. Please check their website and stop by their booth at upcoming outdoor shows to learn how you can become a certified NJ HOFNOD instructor.
The Jersey Coast Anglers Association will provide training funds for upcoming NJ HOFNOD workshops. You must be a member of JCAA to receive training funds. To receive an application from the JCAA Youth Education Committee, email: gkucharews@jcaa.org.
NJ HOFNOD support at Kid’s Wish’n To Go Fish’n Ponderosa Estates Farm, Millstone, NJ
NJ HOFNOD is coordinated by Liz Jackson, HOFNOD Coordinator DEP Fish & Wildlife. Please contact Liz to learn more about the benefits of becoming a NJ HOFNOD instructor at 908-637-4125 x122 or e-mail at liz.jackson@dep.nj.gov.
Mark Gintert, Executive Director Future Fisherman Foundation, sent an announcement about something new from FFF HOFNOD. FFF signed an agreement with a company called Color-On's that provide a color-able Iron-on Design that students participating in HOFNOD programs as well as any other events can color and then directly iron on to their T-Shirts. This is great for educators with younger anglers.
Visit Color-On’s. They have special pricing of these items and developed three standard items with smaller quantities at great price points. The Iron-On's will work great with any type of youth fishing events as the Students can work on these and then immediately have them pressed onto their own T-Shirts.
On October 25th we were invited to Brick Memorial High School to participate in the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 12 School Program. Members gave an account of how they served their country and showed ROTC and Brick Fishing Club students a variety of items that was used during the war. David Drummond, Captain U.S. Air Force POW survivor discussed his experiences and what it was like to be a prisoner of war. Former Captain Drummond was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Newark College of Engineering. He also brought several personal items that were on display and students had plenty of questions to ask us.
Students also participated in a skit of what it was like to be an army private during basic training. This is very funny. View how VVA Chapter 12, Drill Instructor Don Davison, Army First Sergeant Ret. shouts out a “command of execution” to students. This was all in fun and students enjoyed the program as well as veterans in attendance.
During December, Play HOOK-e veterans that are certified NJ HOFNOD instructors are scheduled to help students learn about fly tying and rod/reel maintenance.
On Tuesday, November 6th we presented a program at the Jersey Shore Surfcasters monthly meeting at the Knights of Columbus located in Brick, NJ. We explained to JSS club members how the veteran program Play HOOK-e from PTSD and NJ HOFNOD in Brick High School was expanding. We also explained how NJ Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs ties in with the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 12 “Play HOOK-e from PTSD program for veterans. The two programs complement each other and veterans and students experience a new learning environment.
Veterans that complete NJ HOFNOD certified training work within their community to teach youngsters about fishing. Youngsters learn fishing skills and make veterans feel good about being part of the community.
We appreciate the continued support of the Jersey Shore Surfcasters and we look forward to working together during 2019. Don’t forget to come out and support Surf Day on February 16, 2019 at Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, New Jersey 07738.
New Jersey high school fishing teams are working on strategies for the 2019 Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament. I know Toms River South HS Fishing Indians are guided by Paul Harris, NJBBA and their team is gearing up for the tournament. We expect the following schools to join the tournament: Manasquan HS Fishing Club, Toms River HS North, Delaware Valley Regional HS, Lacey Township HS Fishing Club, Brick HS Fishing Clubs, Gateway Regional HS, Manahawkin HS, and Howell HS.
NJBBA is hosting with Toms River South High School Fishing Club, 2019 Fishing Flea Market, Saturday - January 26, 2019, Toms River South HS, held in the Cafeteria Melrose Drive Entrance (Off Hooper Ave), Toms River, NJ 08753.
This year’s Lacey Township High School Fishing Club Fisherman’s Flea Market will be on Saturday, January 12, 2019 from 9 AM to 2 PM. It will be held at the Lacey Township High School Gymnasium at 73 Haines Street in Lanoka Harbor.
