Take Me Fishing™ is a national initiative to grow participation for recreational boating and fishing, reconnect youth with the outdoors, create lifetime anglers and support environmental conservation efforts. The National Recreation and Park Association and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation are partnering to bring resources and support to communities who are committed to growing and improving recreational boating and fishing programs for youth ages 6-15, reconnecting kids with nature, protecting the environment and creating future lifetime anglers.

Benefits to participating agencies
Give a child an opportunity to go fishing! The Take Me Fishing™ initiative is a means to engage communities and provide support via grant funding, programming and marketing support to enable local park and recreation agencies to grow a boating and fishing activities in the community.

How does my community participate in the 2008 Take Me Fishing™ Initiative?
As partners, RBFF and NRPA are pleased to support local communities and provide resources to grow existing recreational boating and fishing programs through our “Anchor Agency” program and support the development of new programs by becoming a “Casting Community”.

Anchor Agencies
30 Communities will be selected and designated as Take Me Fishing™ Anchor Agencies; each qualified agency will receive $10,000 in grant funding and resources to complete the following goals and objectives:

• Expand an existing recreational boating and fishing program
• Engage a minimum of 3,500 youth ages 6-15 in recreational boating and fishing through programs, events, activities, training and education by March 15, 2009.
• Purchase and complete the Best Practices for Recreational Boating, Fishing and Aquatics online training for up to six volunteers and/or staff (Purchased through NRPA website)
• Implement the Passport to Fishing and Boating education and training program (training materials provided)
• Provide quarterly reports and program updates
• Complete a full program evaluation
• Participate in a program kick-off event
• Evaluation of the 2008 Anchor Agency applications will be based on several criteria, including, but not limited to, past program participation, demonstrated outcomes that engage youth in outdoor programs, demonstrated ability to provide an inclusive program, quality of program description/plan submitted and ability to deliver resources to minority populations within your community.

Casting Communities
30 Casting Communities will be selected based on their abilities and interest in starting and developing a recreational boating and fishing program in their community and a demonstrated desire to reconnect kids with nature through fishing and boating. Selected communities will receive $500 in grant funding and programming and education resources to complete the following goals and objectives:

• Engage and/or introduce 200 youth ages 6-15 to fishing and boating through fishing/boating events, education programs, community festivals, after school or camp programs, or other sanctioned programs which engage youth in your community.
• Implement the Passport to Fishing and Boating education and training program (training materials provided)
• Register and complete the Best Practices for Recreational Boating, Fishing and Aquatics online training for up to four volunteers and/or staff (complimentary access codes provided if selected as a Casting Community)

Evaluation of the 2008 Casting Community applications will be based on several criteria, including, but not limited to, desire and ability to implement a start or further develop a program, demonstrated outcomes that engage youth in outdoor programs and demonstrated ability to provide an inclusive program

Please Note: For-Profit and Commercial Organizations are NOT ELIGIBLE to participate.

What is the cost to participate?
There is no cost to participate. Simply commit to the requirements outlined above and to growing or developing recreational fishing and boating and engaging youth ages 6-15.

How do I sign up?
Complete the 2008 Take Me Fishing™ Program Application
Only online submissions will be accepted. Applications will not be accepted via mail, fax or phone.

When is the deadline to apply?
You must complete your on-line application by 5pm (EST) Friday, May 9, 2008. All applications will be considered.

NOTE: A complete application is indicated by receiving an electronic “Thank-you” page after you have completed the on-line application and hit the “submit” button. If you do not receive a “Thank-you” page, then your application has not been successfully completed and submitted to NRPA.

When will I be notified if I’m designated as a Take Me Fishing™ Anchor Agency or Casting Community?
All applicants will be notified by May 30, 2008; grant funding supplied shortly thereafter.

Need more information?
General questions, please contact us at programs@nrpa.org or 703-858-2199.