2002 Events

Lake Thunderbird

Event Information
Location	Norman, Oklahoma
When	September 14, 2002
Participants:	25 children; 20 boaters; 50 volunteers
Partners & Sponsors:	Bureau of Reclamation Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Dept. Lake Thunderbird State Park Lake Thunderbird Educational Foundation Lake Thunderbird Sailing Club Lake Thunderbird Boat House Lake Thunderbird Wednesday Night Team Tournament J.D. McCarty Center Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation Barry’s Chicken Ranch Hedstrom Corporation Monty Harper Children’s Songwriter Wal-Mart Brannan’s Bass Shop Bass Pro Shop Daylight Donuts Blue Bell Ice Cream Aardvark Embroidery Denver Corner Bait & Tackle Oklahoma Electric Cooperative Norris Marine A & B Rent-All, Inc.
Children’s Agency:	Shriner’s Hospital – Oklahoma City

“Mother Nature Smiles on Lake Thunderbird”

I have to say that I have never been more surprised by the attempt of Mother Nature to dampen the spirits of the participants of a C.A.S.T. event than on September 14, 2002 at Lake Thunderbird in Oklahoma. The day before the event was to take place, 15 children cancelled their intention to participate in the Bureau of Reclamation’s first attempt in Oklahoma to host a C.A.S.T. event. With a 75% chance of rain in the forecast, many were very skeptical that the event would take place, and as I was awakened to thunder, lightning, and heavy rain at 3:00am, I too was beginning to think of ways to entertain the 28 children that eventually did show up.
  Often times when an event is scheduled, the number one concern of the host is, whether there will be enough boats. Well I’m here to tell you that as I pulled into the Lake Thunderbird Boathouse parking lot, I couldn’t have been more surprised. I could hardly maneuver through the boats and trucks that were there to participate in what would turn out to be one of the best C.A.S.T. events in the Southern Region.
  Despite the threat of continued rain in the forecast, everyone was in high spirits and ready to greet their boating partners for the day. The Bureau of Reclamation had registration tents set up. As the skies began to clear, much to everyone’s surprise, the kids started arriving and were immediately paired with the boaters for a day of fun and fishing, in what turned out to be a beautiful sunshiny day. Thanks again Mother Nature!
  Normally, I would include statements made by the host of the C.A.S.T. event. But in this case, I feel that Jeff Tompkins would sell himself short, on what turned out to be one of the best C.A.S.T. events I have ever attended. Every detail was covered from registration to presenting the awards to the children. Every parent praised the efforts of those involved in the event, provided that day for their children, and every boater gleamed with pride as one by one, they awarded their partner for the day, a plaque in honor of their accomplishments.
  In addition to the regular C.A.S.T. program, children’s songwriter, Monty Harper performed many of his songs for the children. The children loved the sing-a-longs and all the different tunes provided by Monty. What a great addition to an already exciting day.
  My hat is off to Jeff Tompkins, Fred Landefeld, Larry Walkoviak and the entire staff with the Bureau of Reclamation, Oklahoma-Texas Area Office. You should be very proud of yourselves for a job well done. I know I am.