Fish for Kids

Fond du Lac and Oshkosh events coming May 30

Just a mere 5 years ago, Tony Goebel of Fond du Lac started an event to introduce children to fishing. “Fish for Kids” is a non-profit organization designed to show children the positive effects of fishing and the outdoors. They introduce children to a sport that teaches them patience and determination and brings families together. According to Tony, “Our mission is to give children the knowledge and tools to continue fishing in the future and to build lifetime memories.”

Tony was just a senior in High School when he started the organization. His main goal was to provide equipment for children in the Kindergarten to 5th grade category. The underlying message is to teach children how fun fishing can be. The event is completely geared at families, and not just the children. The event is completely free.

The Fond du Lac event is in the morning of Saturday May 30th, followed by an afternoon clinic in Oshkosh the same day. Every child attending receives a free t-shirt, snacks, and fishing gear. They also have the opportunity to win larger fishing gear like brand new fishing poles and tackle boxes. The 2009 event will feature a 600 gallon fish tank (provided by the DNR) full of the fish in the Wisconsin waters. Each kid can participate in a casting contest, a fish identification game, fishing arts and crafts, knot tying including a slip bobber lesson, minnow races, and the exciting fish tank. Next the children are off to grab their parents, a volunteer, and a box of worms to begin fishing in the channels.

The event is limited to 200 children, so registration is a must (they do not want to disappoint any future professional anglers). The link to sign up is http://www.fishforkids.org/. Fish for Kids is also taking donations from area business to help supply the children with equipment.

My Fishing Partner LLC has taken on a gold membership sponsorship for the event. Mark Schram, Founder of My Fishing Partner, will be on hand in Fond du Lac to help in the festivities. Having been a family friend of the Goebel’s for nearly 30 years, you could not ask for a more genuine family to put this event together with a kid’s first approach.

 Fond du Lac

When: Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 9 am to 12 pm

Where: Oven Island at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac

Who can sign-up: Kids going into grades K-5 from the Fond du Lac area

OSHKOSH

 When: Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 2pm to 5pm

Where: Abe Rochlin Park (near Rainbow Park) in Oshkosh

Who can sign-up: Kids going into grades K-5 from the Oshkosh area T

here will be: • Casting Contest • 600 gallon DNR fish tank • Fish identification memory game • Slip bobber and knot tying lessons • Talk from a professional fisherman Possibly a Green Bay Packers player to fish with the kids • Minnow races • Fishing in the channels • Free t-shirts and a fishing goodie bag FISHING RAFFLE PRIZES FOR EVERY CHILD