Idaho Examiner: Summer School Features Fishing "My Idaho...My Planet Rocks!"

July 2, 2008, Alexandria, VA— Educators from around the country will convene in Traverse City, Mich. July 6 – 10 for a one-of-a-kind training program to learn how to use fishing as a means to connect textbook learning to real world skills.

The Future Fisherman Foundation, the angling education arm of the American Sportfishing Association, is conducting its 6th annual Physh Ed National Education Grants training at the Northwestern Michigan College campus. Physh Ed is a grants program that provides teachers in schools across the nation with the funds and the training that will enable them to design and deliver fishing-related programming as part of their regular curriculum.

For the upcoming 2008/2009 school year, the foundation awarded grants of up to $2,500 each to teachers from 35 states. Each school will send one representative to the training where they will learn from aquatic education professionals and experts in “teaching the teachers.”

“Of course we want to get students excited about fishing and the out-of-doors,” said Anne Danielski, executive director, Future Fisherman Foundation, “but more importantly fishing can help children make the connection between the science text book and the real world.”

“I loved to fish and thought it was a great idea to get my students excited about science.” said Pete Della Ratta, a 2003 Physh Ed grant recipient and guest instructor. “Our attendance improves, our behaviors are better and our students have become very aware of aquatic conservation issues. It is a win-win for everyone!”

The workshop features casting instruction in fly- and spincasting, conservation education, lesson planning, how to develop resources and build grassroots partnerships and how to effectively evaluate your programs success.

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The Future Fisherman Foundation is the angler recruitment and education arm of the American Sportfishing Association, the leading recreational fishing trade association. The Future Fisherman Foundation unites the sportfishing industry with a nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation groups and youth organizations, offering a variety of fishing and boating programs, equipment, and services to community groups and schools across the country. These efforts help people of all ages have safe and enjoyable fishing experiences that foster life-long conservation ethics.