For Release: April 2, 2003 Janet Tennyson x227 or Portia
Moore x224; Jennifer Patterson, RBFF, 703-519-0013
GRANTS HELP SCHOOLS LAUNCH FISHING AND BOATING PROGRAMS
A new national grants program for physical
education teachers, designed to bring fishing and boating education to schools
across the country, was announced today at the annual convention of the
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
The Future Fisherman Foundation, the Recreational
Boating and Fishing Foundation, the American Association for Leisure and
Recreation, and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education have
formed a unique partnership offering schools up to $5,000 in grants to help
introduce children to two of America's most popular outdoor pastimes.
Grants, training, and other services provided
through this National Physical Education Grants Initiative allow teachers to
launch new fishing and boating programs as early as the 2003-2004 school
year. Grant money can be used for fishing and boating equipment, field
trips, curriculum materials, and other resources.
"Fishing and boating are excellent forms of
recreation and provide for lifelong
family activities," said Mike Davis, Chief Executive Officer for the
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, in
announcing the new grants program today at the annual conference. "This new collaborative relationship
with the fishing and boating community exemplifies the value of working
together to improve the school curriculum, provide activities that can
contribute to the reduction of obesity, and strengthen families."
"Teachers are in a special position to bring
these wonderful outdoor pursuits to America's youth," said Anne Glick,
Executive Director of the Future Fisherman Foundation, a non-profit
organization that offers a variety of professional fishing and boating
programs, equipment, and services to community groups and schools.
"When children learn about fishing and the outdoors, you can really see
the difference it makes when they start to discover a new sense of confidence
and respect for themselves, their friends and family, and their
communities."
Statistics show that fishing and boating are among
the most popular sports in America. Research also reveals that time spent
on the water connects families and friends. Most boat owners started
boating at 12-14 years of age, and 90 percent of all adult anglers learned to
fish before the age of 13. Through these grants, teachers can help
students develop a lifelong love of fishing and boating and an appreciation for
the outdoors.
Sponsoring organizations bring the added benefit of
access to a nationwide network of outdoor educators, national conservation
groups, and youth organizations that offer a variety of versatile fishing and
boating education programs that can be tailored for teachers' specific
interests and needs. In addition, the partnership provides for training,
access to discounted equipment, and ongoing guidance. A training workshop
for those awarded funding provides expert guidance on:
Angling and boating skills, safety, and ethics, Basic equipment set-up and
maintenance, Fish and their habitat needs, How to take part in community conservation
efforts, Developing partnerships for access to fishing and boating sites,
and Making community connections to recruit long-term mentors for children.
Grant applications are available from any of the organizations listed
above or by visiting www.futurefisherman.org.
Applications must be postmarked by June 2, 2003. All applicants will
be notified in early July 2003 with the status of their grants, and a training
workshop will be held in August 2003. To ensure continued success
of school programs, grant
award winners will be put in touch with state fish and wildlife agencies and community
groups with successful youth fishing programs.
The Future Fisherman Foundation provides information
about dozens of available fishing programs and resources, including discount
and loaner equipment programs, on www.futurefisherman.org.
The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation provides information on where
to fish and boat, how to get started, how to obtain a fishing license, and
local fishing and boating regulations on www.WaterWorksWonders.org.
The National Physical Education Grants Initiative
was an outgrowth of discussions held during an Aquatic Education Leadership
Summit in 2002. Hosted by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, 50
leaders from across the United States convened to build an agenda for the
advancement of aquatic education. Dr. Joel Meier, a past president of the
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance as well
as the American Association for Leisure and Recreation and chairman of that association's
Council on Outdoor Adventure/Education/ Recreation, represented the outdoor
education community at the summit.
Janet Tennyson, Director of Communications
American Sportfishing Association
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
ph: (703) 519-9691; fax: (703) 519-1872
jtennyson@asafishing.org