News Release Archive

Reclamation to Hold C.A.S.T. for Kids "Let's Move Outside" Fishing Event at Millerton Lake

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP Region Public Affairs Officer, 916 978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: September 27, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation's South-Central California Area Office, in partnership with the Catch a Special Thrill for Kids Foundation, will hold a fishing event on Saturday, October 1, 2011, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at California State Parks - Millerton Lake State Recreation Area in Friant, California. 

Catch a Special Thrill (C.A.S.T.) for Kids fishing events team up community partners and anglers with children who have special needs for a day of fishing enjoyment. At this year's event, each child will receive a fishing rod and reel, bait and tackle equipment and instruction. Environmental exhibits, displays and activities, and fishing on the lake will be offered. Children under 18 years of age who are disabled and disadvantaged may participate in this fun and educational annual activity free of charge.

This C.A.S.T. for Kids event ties into President Barack Obama's "America's Great Outdoors" (AGO) initiative. AGO is a grassroots approach to protecting our nation's lands and waters while connecting Americans to our natural and cultural heritage. This 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 to 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. Please visit their website for more information on the First Lady's initiative.

Two meals will be provided: the morning will begin with a nutritious hot breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Old Towne Clovis, and a barbeque lunch will be provided by the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors. The event will end with an awards ceremony recognizing the accomplishments of the children and the dedicated service of Ron and Paula Armstrong of the Fresno Bass Club. Other community partners who have contributed annually to make this event a success for the past 11 years are: Fresno County Department of Children and Family Services, Resources for Independence Central Valley, Down Syndrome Association of Central California, San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporation, Sierra Tribal Consortium, Inc., the Fresno, Kerman, and Sierra Bass Clubs, Valley Rod and Gun, RiverTree Volunteers, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Kaiser Permanente, Fresno County Sheriff's Department, California Department of Water Resources, California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Boating and Waterways, Los Banos FFA, and the Fresno High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is a national, non-profit organization whose goal is "to provide disabled and disadvantaged children with the opportunity to enjoy a quality outdoor recreational experience through the sport of fishing." Information on C.A.S.T. for Kids is available at http://www.castforkids.org.

For additional information, to participate as a volunteer or to contribute support, please contact Valerie Curley at 559-487-5041, e-mail vcurley@usbr.gov or Liz Lampkin, C.A.S.T. Foundation Western Regional Coordinator at 559-443-9789, e-mail liz@castforkids.org. 

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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.