Phys-Ed Programs Go Back-To-School With Fishing & Boating
by
Laura Jerone
August 22, 2005—Alexandria, VA—It’s back-to-school
time again and for thirty four schools in 19 states, receiving a total
of $162,388, some traditional summer activities will continue this
school year in physical educations programs across the country.
The Future Fisherman Foundation recently announced the recipients of the
National Fishing and Boating Education Grants for the 2005-2006 school year. The
recipients will use the grant funds to teach fishing and boating in their
schools as part of their physical education classes and continue to help
foster healthy and active leisure lifestyles.
“The PE Grants program is one place in life where giving someone an
inch and having them take a mile is a good thing,” said Anne Glick,
executive director of the Future Fisherman Foundation. “This
is a strong partnership dedicated to fostering healthy and active lifestyles
and with the help of our brilliant teachers over the past three years; this
program has really taken off. It is a true reflection of their hard
work and dedication.”
In addition to providing funding, the Foundation recently held a workshop
for all grant recipients designed to assist teachers in developing
effective fishing and/or boating curriculum. The workshop, which took
place in Westwego, Louisiana July 17-21, provided recipients the opportunity
to learn all about angling and boating skills, safety, and ethics; equipment
set-up and maintenance; fish and their habitat needs; how to take part in
community conservation projects; and recruiting mentors from their communities.
“The partnership between the National Association for Sport and Physical
Education (NASPE), RBFF and the Future Fisherman Foundation strongly supports
NASPE’s mission of providing high quality physical activity programs
for children,” said Charlene R. Burgeson, NASPE executive director. “By
including fishing and boating education in the physical education curriculum,
many students are being introduced to these popular sports for the first
time in a safe and non-threatening environment.”
The Future Fisherman Foundation, in a partnership with the Recreational
Boating and Fishing Foundation, the American Association for Leisure and
Recreation, and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education,
is entering its third year of providing grants to schools to promote youth
fishing and boating. Schools can apply for grants in upwards of $5,000.
“Kids need regular and sustained contact with the outdoors
as they grow up, and spending time on the water fishing and boating is an
unbeatable combination for acquiring lifelong, family-based leisure interests
that appeal to young and old,” said Bruce Matthews, president of the
Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. “Our friends in the physical
education community understand that; and we’re pleased to be partnering
with them as they develop community-based programs that nurture and
sustain youth and family involvement in fishing and boating. We look forward
to working with them in growing this effort in the future.”
To date, the Foundation, with the help of its partners, has given grants
to 112 schools in the amount of over $518,000.
PE Grant Recipients for the 2005-2006 School Year
Scottsboro
Junior High School (AL), Bogle Junior High School (AZ), Eastlake Middle
School (CA), Eagle Peak Middle School (CA), Community Day School (CA), West
Grand High School (CO), Marrama Elementary School (CO), Woodlawn Beach Middle
School (FL), Brevard County School District (FL), Russell Elementary/St. Mary’s
Elementary (ID), Warren Township High School (IL), Christ Episcopal
School (LA), Woodland Elementary (MI), Freedom Acres School (MI), St. Cloud
Technical High School (MN), Walnut Middle School (NE), Canajoharie High School
(NY), Schlegel Road Elementary School (NY), William J. Grabiarz School #79
(NY), O.R. Edgington Elementary School (OH), Eufaula Middle and High School
(OK), Jersey Shore Area High School (PA), Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate
Academy (PA), Northern Lebanon High School (PA), First Baptist Church School
(SC), Lead-Deadwood Middle School (SD), Bailey Bridge Middle School (VA), Arlington
Public Schools (VA), John Rolfe Middle School (VA), Rhinelander High
School (WI), Sheboygan South High School (WI), Denmark High School (WI), Franklin
Elementary School (WI), Milwaukee Lutheran High School (WI).
For more information on the National Physical Education Grants Initiative
and other angler education programs and services, visit www.futurefisherman.org or
contact PE Grants Coordinator Jesse
Graytock,
703.519.9691 x224.
The Future Fisherman Foundation and the Recreational Boating
and Fishing Foundation provide a wealth of information on where to
fish or boat, how to get started, how to obtain a fishing license,
as well as local fishing and boating regulations on their respective websites.
For more information please visit www.futurefisherman.org and
www.takemefishing.org.
The Future Fisherman Foundation is the angler recruitment and education
arm of the American Sportfishing Association, the leading recreational fishing
trade association. The Future Fisherman Foundation unites the sportfishing
industry with a nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation
groups, and youth organizations, offering a variety of fishing and boating
programs, equipment, and services to community groups and schools across
the country. These efforts help people of all ages have safe and enjoyable
fishing experiences that foster conservation ethics.
