Thrill's and Chill's at Rockport
Valerie Harrison, coordinator
This was the 10th year we've held a CAST for Kids event in Utah, but the first time we've held it at Rockport Reservoir. The logistics were a little tricky because of constricted parking lots, but we made it work and I, for one, feel we pulled it off with little trouble.
Fishing was hit and miss, with some kids catching a lot of fish and others not catching any. A couple of really nice bass were caught and one 15" rainbow trout.
Skyler Nelson, a 7-year-old participant was having a great time. He told his boat captain, Rod Daughetee, "I love you, Rod." When he caught a fish, he told it , "I love you, fish." Then he wanted to smell it.
One little girl did not catch any fish and she was disappointed to the point of tears. We're hoping she cheered up some when she received her funpack, photo plaque, and fishing medal.
Another girl switched back and forth from fishing to driving the boat (with assistance, of course). She'd fish for a while, then say, "Drive." She'd drive for a while, then say, "Fish." And back and forth she went. When she first asked to drive, the boat captain turned the ignition, she said, "Kick It!" and off they went.
Weber Basin Job Corps served lunch to 192 tired and hungry people as they have every year since the beginning. The hamburgers and hot dogs were wonderful, as were the baked beans, potato and macaroni salads. Lay's donated small packages of assorted chips and Rockport Sports donated snow cones for desert and they were a big hit in the afternoon heat!
Volunteers raised $331 for future CAST for Kids efforts through a raffle and the Foundation sold clothing and other items to volunteers and participating families alike.
The weather was chilly in the morning, then things warmed up quickly to hot once the sun crested the mountain. The wind came up later in the day, as it always does in this part of the world. Luckily we were off the water before it got too bad.
Again, I am in awe of all of the volunteers who go above and beyond to make sure children and families, whom they've never even met, enjoy themselves. I am at a loss of words to adequatedly express my respect for them. I couldn't ask for better people to work with!
|
(Click on a picture to enlarge)
|
