Pubdate: Fri, 20 May 2005
Source: Asbury Park Press (NJ)
Copyright: 2005 Asbury Park Press
Contact:  http://www.app.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/26
Author: Chris Lido

LIFE LESSONS

A two-day Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs program helps fifth-graders at 
Stafford Intermediate School build a variety of skills that go beyond fishing.

Our children have so many forms of entertainment in modern society. The 
Internet, video games, Gameboy and X-Box, have seriously impacted the 
number of young anglers.

Busy schedules have taken their toll as well, with fishing far down the 
list of activities for many families.

To combat this, the Future Fisherman Foundation created the Hooked on 
Fishing-Not on Drugs program, designed to educate children on all aspects 
of fishing as well encourage them to avoid drug use by providing alternate, 
positive activities.

It's a thought that the Stafford Township School District has taken to heart.

Last week, the district's 14 fifth-grade classes took two days out of their 
regular daily class schedule to participate in an expansive, two-day Hooked 
on Fishing-Not on Drugs program that combined classes in the Stafford 
Intermediate School and out in the field at Manahawkin Lake.

And the students gave it rave reviews.

Danielle Andriani, 11, enjoyed getting to fish at the lake, but she learned 
a lot more:

"We learned about all the cool species we have here," she said, "and how 
the fish have slime, that you have to have your hands wet to touch them."

According to Karina Monanian, the district's public relations coordinator, 
the program was introduced two years ago by sixth-grade teacher Cathy 
O'Leary and Jeanette Lloyd. They

received a grant and proceeded to work with many groups, including the 
school's parent-teacher association and its Drug Abuse Resistance Education 
officers, to contact local businesses and organizations within the fishing 
industry. They also contacted Pequest Trout Hatchery in Oxford, the state 
Division of Fish and Wildlife and received help from the Ocean County Parks 
and Recreation Department.

The program had 12 stations -- six at the school, six at the lake -- and 
the students were split into two groups, half at the school on Wednesday, 
May 11, the first day of the program and half at the lake. On Thursday, the 
second day, the groups switched places.

The stations covered topics from fishing equipment and safety to 
environmental topics, as well as how to prepare and cook fish.

"We decided on classes," O'Leary said, to remind the students that this was 
not just two days out of the classroom. "It was an outdoor classroom. I 
think the kids reacted accordingly and did very well with that."

And beyond the obvious, the program encompasses a variety of skills, said 
Kathy Coates, a fifth-grade teacher at the school, explaining that each 
student received a journal filled with exercises designed to make them 
think about the things they'd learned.

"You're tying in art, you're tying in writing, you're tying in reading, 
you're tying in math," she said, as her students worked on a follow-up 
project last Friday, tracing shapes that reminded them of some of the fish 
and sea creatures they learned about the previous two days. "Part of their 
homework was to share with their parents what they'd learned," Coates said, 
to encourage them to get involved in fishing as well.

Each student also made his or her own fish-imprinted canvas fish bag, or 
creel, to put their information and fishing tackle into.

"It has the feel of a trade show," said Monanian, referring to the way the 
students gobbled up any information and floated wide-eyed from station to 
station.

"The students are not only learning about fishing, but they are trying out 
new and diverse life skills to apply to other anglers and the public in 
general," Monanian said.

"These are the things that will make a difference for the kids," said 
Coates, a self-proclaimed "city girl" who lived at the Shore when she was 
young, then moved to Philadelphia for several years before returning to the 
Manahawkin area as an adult.

"I'm very into this," she said.

And so were the students.

Brennan Thiel, 10, said he enjoyed seeing all the fishing equipment. He 
fishes often with his father in Barnegat Inlet, catching striped bass and 
bluefish.

"I like catching the fish and getting in a good fight with them," he said, 
and he also enjoyed making his own fish rig under the watchful eyes of 
state conservation officer Wayne Tonneson.

The biggest lesson Brennan learned was about safety.

"To always go fishing with a partner, have a first aid kit, and sunblock," 
he said.

Tonneson, the state coordinator for the Hooked on Fishing program, 
encouraged the district to apply for a grant through the Future Fisherman 
Foundation, and the $5,000 they received "gave us our initial supplies," 
O'Leary said. And Tonneson, who can be found at children's fishing derbies 
around the state, was one of dozens of volunteers from state agencies as 
well as local ones who staffed the stations to teach the children, O'Leary 
said. PTA volunteers ushered the students from station to station, and the 
DARE officers, Richard J. Sinopoli Jr. and Ronald Brummer, donated more 
than 500 hoagies for the students' lunches. Jersey Mike's supplied the 
hoagies at a discount to the Stafford Township PBA chapter, which donated 
them to the program.

"It's brought everybody together for the kids," O'Leary said. The school 
program was also timed to coincide with the township's Hooked on Fishing 
children's fishing derby, which was held Sunday at Manahawkin Lake.

"We want to let them get a taste (of fishing) and want more," O'Leary said.

Ryan North, 11, who fishes often already enjoyed seeing his classmates 
learning some of the things he enjoys about fishing, including the feeling 
of a fish on the end of the line:

"It's a lot of pressure and it's moving so it's hard to reel them in," Ryan 
said. "My friend Brian said he thought fishing was boring, and then caught 
his first fish. Now he said he really likes it a lot."

Ryan's favorite part of the two-day program?

"When we learned how to fillet the fish," he said, and learning how to cook it.

"And he let us taste it," Ryan said, "it was really good."

It's safe to say he'll be back for more.

* Staff writer Karen E. Wall contributed to this story.

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM Hooked On Fishing -- Not on Drugs, a program developed by 
the Future Fisherman Foundation, is used widely in more than 30 states and 
territories. In addition to teaching all the basics of safe and ethical 
angling, this program combines long-term mentoring and positive life skills 
with conservation education in one powerful and adaptable package.

HOW IT WORKS: Children learn angling skills necessary to fish safely on 
their own in a variety of settings, and the ability to teach others.

They are empowered by a new, fun activity and positive life skills, such as 
creative decision-making, problem-solving, goal setting, patience and 
camaraderie. They gain confidence and find a new sense of respect and 
responsibility for themselves, their friends and family, and their community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: If you're interested in teaching Hooked On Fishing -- 
Not On Drugs, contact the Future Fisherman Foundation. It will put you in 
touch with partners in the state who can help you adapt the program to 
fulfill your particular interests and needs. It offers a variety of support 
materials, as well as access to brand-name beginner fishing equipment at 
huge discounts off retail prices.

WEB SITE: www.futurefisherman.org

TELEPHONE: (703) 519.9691
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman