Youth Fishing and Boating Education Grants
The 2010 RBFF National Youth Fishing and Boating Initiative
Nov 14, 2009
An opportunity exists for U.S. public service boating, fishing and conservation organizations that have a focus on youth programs to receive educational grant funds. The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promoting increased involvement of the public in recreational fishing and boating, with an interest in improving knowledge of and protection of aquatic resources. A primary source of funding for RBFF is the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
2010 National Youth Fishing and Boating Initiative
This effort was started in 2008 to provide grants to public service organizations with youth based education programs to expand their outreach to a greater population. RBFF is seeking to support educational programs that introduce fishing and boating experiences to minorities and underserved populations. Preference is being given to programs that provide multiple on the water experiences to participants, encourage long-term interest in boating and fishing and promote conservation.
In a press release, RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson says of initiative, "We're looking for high-quality education programs that give kids and their families hands-on experience with boating, fishing and conservation. Recent research shows fishing is the number one gateway activity for introducing children and their families to the outdoors. We believe these education programs help connect children with nature and go a long way towards creating future lifetime boaters and anglers."
Key requirements of RBFF's education grant guidelines include introducing boating and fishing to minorities and underserved communities. While all applications will be considered, RBFF will give special consideration to programs that offer multiple on-the-water learning opportunities, encourage long-term involvement of participants, provide training for instructors, promote natural resource conservation, and support current partnerships. The RBFF claims that more than 185,000 kids participated in their sponsored education programs during FY 2010.
National Youth Fishing & Boating Initiative 2009 Grant Recipients
- FishHer – Fishing Gear for Women: An expansion of a Girls Scouts of the USA fishing participation program for girls in six states that provides fishing, boating and aquatic education.
- International Game Fish Association (IGFA): A program that provides students and teachers with fishing clinics, live fish demonstrations, and boating safety education in Florida with the intent of expanding the program throughout the country.
- Let’s Go Fishing (LGF): An effort that matches seniors with youth through educational programs and fishing trips as part of their Intergenerational Fishing program.
- National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA) – An expansion of the NRPA Take Me Fishing™ Initiative of fishing and boating education programs that highlight resource conservation.
- Trout Unlimited (TU): A pilot program to integrate youth education into the group’s Trout in the Classroom (TIC) initiative in the tri-state region of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
RBFF Grant Application Guidelines
Applications from qualified organizations are due on 4 January 2010 and awards will be announced in April of 2010. Successful applicants will detail partnerships with other community-based groups, youth service organizations, and natural resource agencies within their region. Programs of interest will:
- Introduce fishing and boating activities to youth and their families
- Provide multiple hands-on and water based learning experiences
- Encourage good water and boating safety practices
- Reinforce and provide natural conservation education
- Provide training to instructors and promotes program sustainability Provides inclusive educational opportunities
Organizations with an interest in working with youth to introduce fishing, boating and resource stewardship skills should consider applying for one of these educational grants. A lifelong interest in the outdoors by youth will depend on the success of program like this.
 |
