Kids; the Future of Fishing
I received an email at the Insider from Shane Wilson. Shane lives on South Padre Island, Texas. Shane and his wife are the founders of Fishings Future, which they started in 2004, and in 2007 became a 501 (c) (3) corporation in 2007.
Their mission is to reconnect family and nature, strengthen family relationships, build stewardship of the environment, and provide positive primary outdoor experiences. To do this, they use lsquo;Family Fishing Camps as a positive outdoor experience. Camps are limited to 30 children to allow for one-on-one lessons.
The camps are free to children between ages 6 and 13 and include a free meal. An adult must accompany all children. The purpose is to create a positive outdoor experience. You can visit www.fishingsfuture.org to see a short three-minute video of a Family Fishing Camp. The website will all also give you a great deal of information about Shane Wilson and Fishings Future.
There are three key words in what makes this program work and they are: Family, Kids and Sponsors. This is not a camp whereby you just pack the kids off to, but rather a day of fishing and learning where the whole family enjoys the fishing experience and this is the secret. You will learn all about fishing even if you have never fished before. You will discover the joy of being outdoors as a family and having fun. Good Stewardship is also an important part of the days adventure.
Currently there are no camps in Michigan and that is why Shane contacted me to put the word out, and see if there are any local fishing clubs or organizations in our area that would like to get involved and sponsor a Fishing Future Camp or camps in this area.
If you or your club are interested (and I am sure the kids hope you are), go to the website listed above and find out how to get started. Like all good things, it will take people, time and money to run a camp. On the website you will find information on how these camps are operated, free to the public, through sponsors.
There are currently chapters in seven states including two of our neighbors: Indiana and Illinois.
We have much better fishing than either of them and should be able to find a group or club that would like to get involved. To find out more visit the website and then contact Shane Wilson at shane@fishingsfuture.org.
This would make a great program for any Fish and Game Club or any other group that wants to do something for the area and the future of fishing in the area. There are lots of kids out there who dont have anyone to take them fishing. I know there are a lot of kids fishing days around the area, but they only provide some water, some fish and the parents bring the kids. Yes, they have lots of fun but they dont learn much about fishing. Continued…
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