Six different "hands-on" stations with activities focused on fishing, boating and aquatic stewardship have been developed for family participation. The program is designed to give participants the chance to be actively involved in each of the activities. Studies show that information is remembered better when participants physically do things and actively think about the activity compared to when they listen to a lecture of the same material.

Six groups of about 10 people each, rotate between the six stations, accommodating a total of 60 people at one time. Stations may be completed in any order. Reading levels and activities are designed for 4th grade, about age 10, with whole family participation.

The Program takes about an hour and 45 minutes for participants to rotate through all six stations:

• Fish Habitat & Handling Station
  Section one has participants build a watershed to help them understand how to promote healthy places to fish and boat. Section two teaches the parts of a fish and how to handle and release them safely.
   


• Fishing Knots & Rigging Station
  Participants learn how to assemble a basic rigging – including how to tie a Clinch knot – that is environmentally friendly and how to identify baits, lures and flies that attract fish.
   


• Casting Station
  Following safety instruction, participants get their hands on rods with push-button spincast reels for practical learning and practice casting at targets. Casting from a boat is also covered.
   


• Smart Boating, Safe Boating Station
  A virtual boat ride teaches participants the importance of wearing life jackets and how to select them properly; then it explores Reach, Throw, Row and Go rescue techniques.
   


• Ready, Set, Boat Station
  In this boating basics station, a special game of charades introduces participants to a variety of boating activities, while segment two teaches about essential equipment and how to load a boat.
   


• Local Information Station
  Since boating and fishing regulations vary widely, this station gives you the opportunity to customize content to rules, fish identification, places to fish and boat, and opportunities unique to your state.

Request materials for this program

>> Return to Passport to Fishing & Boating page