Fishing and Boating Classes Thrive

“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, jgraytock@asafishing.org, 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.