|
|
|
The seventh annual Kids Fishing Day dives into Carthage on Saturday, June 14, from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m., at the Kellogg Lake in Carthage.
Missouri Department of Conservation Community Outreach Specialist Kevin Badgley said the event serves several purposes.
“The goal is to get kids involved in nature and outdoor activities,” Badgley said. “But also it’s to make them aware that we need to take care of the outdoors in order to enjoy them.”
Badgley said Kellogg Lake has been closed all week and will be stocked with 300 fish between today and Friday.
Badgley also mentioned that the event has grown remarkably over the past seven years – growing from 100 participants its first year, to 600 last year. In fact, Kids Fishing Day has become the third-largest event in the state.
Badgley credits the popularity to the Carthage community.
“The community has really gotten behind the event,” he said. “The sponsors, the volunteers, everyone has really gotten the word out, and we’ve gone from just a fishing event to this educational experience for the whole family.
“It’s really brought the essence of conservation and education together, and when people don’t know about nature and they don’t love nature, they’re not going to take care of it. So this event is not only fun, it’s educational.”
To prepare for the event, Cary Lee and the Jasper County Road District have mowed the banks of the lake to provide easy access for the small children. Additionally, the Carthage Parks Department has cut down dead trees and brush and has sprayed for weeds.
The event will feature a variety of activities and events including education stations which will feature live animals, fly-tying demonstrations, hands on fly-fishing instructions and prize giveaways.
At the event, the first 650 anglers aged 15 and under will receive a kids fishing kit, and every young participant that registers and attends two education stations will be eligible for the prize drawings. Prizes include tackle boxes, fishing gear, flashlights, bicycles and savings bonds.
The Missouri Department of Conservation, the city of Carthage, the Kellogg Lake Group, MAKO FlyFishers and several local groups and businesses sponsor and will help assist with the event.
There will be free food, which will include hotdogs, chips, soda and Blue Bunny Products and more, and there is no pre-registration, but everyone is required to bring their own fishing pole and tackle, as worms will be provided.
If anyone is interested in volunteering, sponsoring or wants more information, contact The Missouri Department of Conservation at (417) 629-3423.
The seventh annual Kids Fishing Day dives into Carthage on Saturday, June 14, from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m., at the Kellogg Lake in Carthage.
Missouri Department of Conservation Community Outreach Specialist Kevin Badgley said the event serves several purposes.
“The goal is to get kids involved in nature and outdoor activities,” Badgley said. “But also it’s to make them aware that we need to take care of the outdoors in order to enjoy them.”
Badgley said Kellogg Lake has been closed all week and will be stocked with 300 fish between today and Friday.
Badgley also mentioned that the event has grown remarkably over the past seven years – growing from 100 participants its first year, to 600 last year. In fact, Kids Fishing Day has become the third-largest event in the state.
Badgley credits the popularity to the Carthage community.
“The community has really gotten behind the event,” he said. “The sponsors, the volunteers, everyone has really gotten the word out, and we’ve gone from just a fishing event to this educational experience for the whole family.
“It’s really brought the essence of conservation and education together, and when people don’t know about nature and they don’t love nature, they’re not going to take care of it. So this event is not only fun, it’s educational.”
To prepare for the event, Cary Lee and the Jasper County Road District have mowed the banks of the lake to provide easy access for the small children. Additionally, the Carthage Parks Department has cut down dead trees and brush and has sprayed for weeds.
The event will feature a variety of activities and events including education stations which will feature live animals, fly-tying demonstrations, hands on fly-fishing instructions and prize giveaways.
At the event, the first 650 anglers aged 15 and under will receive a kids fishing kit, and every young participant that registers and attends two education stations will be eligible for the prize drawings. Prizes include tackle boxes, fishing gear, flashlights, bicycles and savings bonds.
The Missouri Department of Conservation, the city of Carthage, the Kellogg Lake Group, MAKO FlyFishers and several local groups and businesses sponsor and will help assist with the event.
There will be free food, which will include hotdogs, chips, soda and Blue Bunny Products and more, and there is no pre-registration, but everyone is required to bring their own fishing pole and tackle, as worms will be provided.
If anyone is interested in volunteering, sponsoring or wants more information, contact The Missouri Department of Conservation at (417) 629-3423.
