News Release Archive

Kids and Volunteers Gear Up to ‘Move Outside’ and Reel in a Great Time at C.A.S.T. for Kids Fishing Event at Strawberry Reservoir

Media Contact: Lisa Iams, 801-524-3673, liams@usbr.gov

For Release: August 07, 2012

Forty children and their families are gearing up for the 16th annual Catch a Special Thrill fishing event for kids in Utah to be held at Strawberry Reservoir on Saturday, August 11, hosted by the Bureau of Reclamation's Upper Colorado Region, and as part of the "Let's Move Outside" program initiated by First Lady Michelle Obama.

Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science, Anne Castle, will be at the event to support the children and to acknowledge the efforts of everyone participating to make this opportunity possible. This year, over 25 sponsors and participating organizations and nearly 100 local volunteers will be involved in this annual event that provides disabled and disadvantaged children between the ages of 7 – 16 the opportunity to enjoy a day of boating and fishing. The generous contributions made by community volunteers who donate their time, use of fishing boats, and share their angling expertise give the kids a day they will remember for a lifetime.

Families participating in this year's event should arrive at 7:30 a.m. to check-in, receive their fishing gear and be partnered with an angler and boat. After a couple of hours on the water, a lunch, featuring healthy food choices, will be provided by the Weber Basin Job Corps Center followed by an awards ceremony. All participants must be pre-registered, and there are no additional participant slots available for this year’s event.

Additional fishing boats are still needed for this event to accommodate all of the participants. If you wish to volunteer the use of a boat and your time to support this event, please contact Valerie Heath-Harrison at 801-524-3664 by August 9. Families interested in participating in next year's event can also contact Harrison.

Reclamation first became involved with the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation in 1991, when it was initially formed. The success of the first event at Banks Lake in eastern Washington for both the participating children and the community, resulted in a rapid expansion of supporting and sponsoring agencies and an increase in the number of events offered. In 2012, 48 events will be held in 19 states across the nation, including 16 in California, six in Washington state, five in Texas, and one in Washington, DC.

Reclamation has remained a C.A.S.T. sponsor since 1991 with all five of its regions hosting events throughout the 17 Western states each year. C.A.S.T for Kids provides an opportunity for children with disabilities and their families as well as disadvantaged children and their parents/caretakers to spend a day on the water with volunteer anglers learning to fish. The C.A.S.T. Foundation's goal is to provide this experience for children who might otherwise never have the opportunity, while simultaneously providing the opportunity for volunteers to gain a new appreciation for people living with impairments, or in less than ideal situations.

The success of C.A.S.T. for Kids fishing events is made possible thanks to the continued support of the many sponsors, partner organizations and volunteers who donate significant time, money, equipment, and supplies to make the event a day to remember for the kids. For more information on C.A.S.T. for Kids visit http://www.castforkids.org or http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/cast/index.html.

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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.