Teaching Children About Fishing

These kids were fishing and they were catching fish. Smiles were fixed on most of the nearly two dozen students. Many of them had wet clothes from spray as the big catfish fought to stay in the water. I watched as these inner city kids enjoyed fishing in a small above ground swimming pool. For all of them, this was their first time to fish. The average age was 11 years old.

I was excited watching them and eager to learn from these future voters, so I listened. A cute lanky girl hoisted the first fish over the side with uncontrollable enthusiasm and yelled, “Look, I got a chicken!” Seriously, she was serious. I was shocked and focused on her and the kids around her as I went to unhook her catch. She said it again, “I got a chicken” and she was serious. This was something I didn’t expect, especially from a 5th grader.

That experience happened years ago and was one I will never forget. It may also be the catalyst that fueled the fire inside of me to become more involved educating children about the outdoors. Like many children, these inner city kids have few sources for true information. Information leads to knowledge, which leads to good decisions. Is it any wonder why millions of students believe the whitetail deer is an endangered species?

Educating Americans (especially elementary school students) about the outdoors is imperative for the future of hunting, fishing and most importantly about fish and wildlife. Ultimately, these children are the future decision makers. So why not tell them what they really should know about the outdoors? If lack of time is your answer, here is a simple way you can help.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has produced three videotapes as an effective tool to communicate information about the outdoors and bring a positive message to students.

These videos titled “The Un-endangered Species, Wildlife for Tomorrow and What They Say About Hunting” target school children but adults will also find them encouraging. The three videotapes are available for a tax-deductible donation of $20.00 to the Council for Wildlife Conservation and Education and can be ordered on line. Most tapes ordered are being donated to schools. Schools are overwhelmingly appreciative of these tapes and show them to their students.

After watching these tapes I am encouraged that children of all ages and adults too (that watch them) become more informed and encouraged about the outdoors. The future for today’s wildlife is bright if we educate our children. By the way, the little girl that thought she caught a chicken is now of voting age.

To order these videos contact Colleen Swain via email at csain@nssf.org or visit www.unendangeredspecies.org.