Youth News from IGFA

Courtesy Johnson Communications Inc.


IGFA Education News
Outreach Program at Palm Beach, Fla., Kid’s Fitness Festival
On July 16-17 the IGFA’s Outreach Program will be among 40 different sports clinics at the Palm Beach County Kid’s Fitness Festival at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach.

“Each July, over 6,000 South Florida youth gather at the South Florida Fairgrounds for two days of fitness and fun,” said IGFA Education Director David Matagiese.
“The two days are filled with excitement and energy, festival participants have the opportunity to get hands-on experience and develop skills in over 40 different sports clinics.
“The IGFA will have knot tying and spin casting target practice as its activities.
Each clinic is conducted by a professional from that sports area sharing techniques, enhancing skills and providing an introduction to the sport. The weekend event also features mascots, autograph sessions, special guests, demonstrations and a midway with a bounce house, rock-wall and mist tent, and much more,” said Matagiese.
Open to groups and individuals, space at the Kids Fitness Festival is limited so early sign-up reservations are recommended.

For more information please contact George Linley at 561-233-3178 or via email at glinley@palmbeachsports.com. And for more information on the IGFA Outreach Program call Matagiese at 954-924-4247 or via email at dmatagiese@igfa.org.

Weekly IGFA Junior Angler Summer Camps in full fun mode
For hands-on activities and lots of fishing for youngsters, nothing beats the IGFA’s annual Junior Angler Summer Camps and there’s still a chance to sign-up.
Presented in 10 weekly sessions they are now underway till August 14th.

In its 10th year and held at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla., the association offers the weeklong camp adventures for children ages 8 – 13.

IGFA Education Director Dave Matagiese said. “We’ve revamped some of the activities so that each camper will spend more time each day fishing both here on-site at the museum and on field trips. In addition the camp instructors are also teaching them about the in-and-outs of fish anatomy through dissections, fish biology, plus conservation techniques and environmentally themed topics.

He said they also learn about tying flies and jigs, how to tie fishing knots and participate in simulated fishing tournaments. And the campers take field trips on a variety of fresh and salt water adventures: drift boat, pier and shore fishing, wetlands exploration and much more.

“These camps give children the opportunity to have fun while being educated on local habitats and ethical practices,” Matagiese said. “During each week-long experience, campers will discover the importance of the different fresh and salt water habitats for sport fishing.”

For much more information, please call Veronica Woods 954-924-4309, email reservations@igfa.org, or visit www.igfa.org/summercamp.asp .