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- C.A.S.T. for Kids Makes Fishing Fun at Black Canyon Dam Near Emmett, Idaho
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C.A.S.T. for Kids Makes Fishing Fun at Black Canyon Dam Near Emmett, Idaho
Media Contact:
John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 08/12/2011 08:00
Erika Lopez, ealopez@usbr.gov
For Release: August 12, 2011
Children with a wide range of disabilities will have the opportunity to reel in a good time as they join enthusiastic volunteers at the C.A.S.T. for Kids event scheduled for Saturday, August 20, at Black Canyon Park near Emmett, Idaho.
C.A.S.T., which stands for "Catch a Special Thrill," offers children with disabilities and terminal illnesses an opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing.
"This event allows the kids and their families to put their worries behind them and experience the outdoors and the excitement of fishing off a bass boat," said Erika Lopez, Public Involvement Specialist for the Bureau of Reclamation. "This is a great event where safety is a top priority for the kids and the adult volunteers."
The children invited range in age from 7-16 years old and have a variety of physical or developmental disabilities. Each participant will receive fishing gear, a tee shirt, and a hat. The morning fishing events will be followed by a barbecue lunch provided by the local Gem Lions Club. The Gem County Sheriff's Department will provide emergency services for the event.
The Black Canyon C.A.S.T. event is also part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Outside initiative introduced in June 2010. The First Lady's goal is solve the problem of childhood obesity by encouraging children to increase outdoor physical activity on America's public lands and waterways. She also encourages children to eat a nutritious diet.
The C.A.S.T. for Kids event does just that with assistance from the boat captains who teach children about fishing while boating.
Partners include: C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, Bureau of Reclamation, Idaho BASS Club, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The State Bass Anglers societies work under the large umbrella of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. Volunteers from the Idaho BASS Club, the Idaho Jet Boater's Association, and other local fishermen will provide fishing boats and expertise to assist novice anglers.
For more information on the First Lady's initiative, please visit http://www.letsmove.gov/about.
For more information about C.A.S.T., please go to http://www.castforkids.org/.
Black Canyon is located on East Black Canyon Highway, northeast of Emmett, Idaho. To find out more information about the program, contact Shari Kohlbecker at the Bureau of Reclamation, Suite 100, 1150 North Curtis Road, Boise, ID 83706-1234 or (208) 378-5050. For more information about the August 20th event, contact Erika Lopez at the Snake River Area Office at (208) 383-2254. In the event of rain, the C.A.S.T. event will be canceled.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
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