CAST for Kids 2007
By: Harold Sanders
Our third annual C.A.S.T. event was held at the Eagle Point Day use area on June 9th . It was our largest event yet with 135 children plus 90 parents/caretakers and siblings all attending the event. Boat rides were given by Tuolumne and Calaveras County boat patrol officers along with a ranger from State Parks. This year for the first time we also offered fishing with a pro fisherman. Reclamation's New Melones staff operated the patio boat supplied by the New Melones Lake Marina providing disabled and disadvantaged children the opportunity to fish from a boat. Two boats from Calaveras County Bass Anglers, one boat from Higgins Guide service and one boat from Arnold Rotary also provided fishing opportunities from boats.
Children also fished from the shoreline and attended other interactive fun events at the fish fair. The Arnold Rotary club provided fun gold panning lessons. Department of Water Resources was popular with the fishing simulator. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers provided a booth for kids to make fish prints. The California Dept. of Fish and Game presented an exhibit on aquatic life and a popular reptile exhibit was presented by a local school teacher. Reclamation also had a booth on water safety. Children made decorative life jackets out of paper bags to tape onto the patrol boat exhibit to stress the need for wearing your life jacket. Children also enjoyed other popular activities such as the wheel of fortune at the first aid station and much more. The "Name that Fish" game and making animal tracks at other reclamation exhibits were enjoyed by all.
Tuolumne County Sportsmen provided a wonderful breakfast and lunch for all our volunteers and participants this year, feeding well over 350 people. We were very fortunate to have our Central California Area Office Manager from Folsom attend our C.A.S.T event this year. He was very helpful in spotting special thrill makers for our C.A.S.T. volunteer awards. We also had a special visit from Mc Gruff the crime fighting dog supplied by the Sonora Police department. He was a big hit this year especially at our group photo.
All the children received a C.A.S.T. T-Shirt, hat, fishing pole, tackle box and a plaque with a photo to take home with them. Children and volunteers went home with big smiles on their faces. Many children caught fish either from a boat or on the shoreline this year.
Thanks to all our great sponsors, partners and volunteers you all are special thrill makers. You all made it happen with your great enthusiasm and hard work.
|
(Click on a picture to enlarge)
|
