Its back-to-school time again and for thirty four schools in 19 states, receiving a total of $162,388, some traditional summer activities will continue this school year in physical educations programs across the country.
The Future Fisherman Foundation recently announced the recipients of the National Fishing and Boating Education Grants for the 2005-2006 school year. The recipients will use the grant funds to teach fishing and boating in their schools as part of their physical education classes and continue to help foster healthy and active leisure lifestyles.
“The PE Grants program is one place in life where giving someone an inch and having them take a mile is a good thing,” said Anne Glick, executive director of the Future Fisherman Foundation. “This is a strong partnership dedicated to fostering healthy and active lifestyles and with the help of our brilliant teachers over the past three years; this program has really taken off. It is a true reflection of their hard work and dedication.”
In addition to providing funding, the Foundation recently held a workshop for all grant recipients designed to assist teachers in developing effective fishing and/or boating curriculum. The workshop, which took place in Westwego, Louisiana July 17-21, provided recipients the opportunity to learn all about angling and boating skills, safety, and ethics; equipment set-up and maintenance; fish and their habitat needs; how to take part in community conservation projects; and recruiting mentors from their communities.
“The partnership between the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), RBFF and the Future Fisherman Foundation strongly supports NASPEs mission of providing high quality physical activity programs for children,” said Charlene R. Burgeson, NASPE executive director. “By including fishing and boating education in the physical education curriculum, many students are being introduced to these popular sports for the first time in a safe and non-threatening environment.”
The Future Fisherman Foundation, in a partnership with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the American Association for Leisure and Recreation, and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, is entering its third year of providing grants to schools to promote youth fishing and boating. Schools can apply for grants in upwards of $5,000.
“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 were 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. Marys 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)
