News Release Archive

C.A.S.T. for Kids Event Scheduled at Lake Walcott State Park, Idaho

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Sarah Wageman, swageman@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: July 12, 2005

Children with a wide range of disabilities will have the opportunity to reel in a whopper of a good time as they join enthusiastic volunteers during the annual C.A.S.T. for Kids fishing event at Lake Walcott State Park, near Rupert, Idaho, on Saturday, July 23. C.A.S.T. stands for Catch a Special Thrill.

"For some kids, this is their first experience fishing," said local coordinator Sarah Wageman of the Bureau of Reclamation's Snake River Area Office. "For the volunteers, it's a great opportunity to be part of a special experience that these children will remember for a lifetime."

"The participants range in age from 7-16 years old and have a variety of physical and/or developmental disabilities and, in some cases, a terminal illness. Each participant will receive fishing gear, a tee shirt, and a hat," Wageman said.

The state bass anglers societies work under the large umbrella of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. Volunteers from the BASS Clubs from Southern and Eastern Idaho will provide fishing boats and expertise to assist novice anglers. The morning fishing event will be followed by a barbecue lunch hosted by the Rupert Elks Club 2106.

Partners include: C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, Bureau of Reclamation, Idaho BASS Clubs, Rupert Elks Club 2106, Idaho State Parks, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The Minidoka County Sheriff Department will be assisting by providing emergency services for the event. Lake Walcott State Park is located 11 miles northeast of Rupert off State Highway 24.

For more background information about the program, contact Shari Kohlbecker at Bureau of Reclamation, Suite 100, 1150 North Curtis Road, Boise, ID 83706-1234, or (208) 378-5050.

For information about the July 23rd event, contact, Sarah Wageman, Snake River Area Office, (208) 678-0461, Ext. 48. 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.