The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Foundation has sponsored youth fishing opportunities and instruction for more than 20 years. Helping the next generation of anglers become engaged with our marine environment and resources remains critical, and we believe one of the best ways to do so is through recreational fishing opportunities.
Take a Kid Fishing
We are proud to sponsor our “Take a Kid Fishing” Day in Warwick, RI where we organize members with boats who volunteer their day to pick up kids from Providence, Pawtucket, Cranston, Warwick and other communities for a day on Greenwich Bay catching bluefish and striped bass with an occasional squtegue mixed in.
We have had as many as 65 member boats taking up to 200 kids from inner city Recreation Centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, Scouting organizations, etc. For many of these kids this is the first time they have been on a boat fishing and for most it is a day they will never forget. Boys and girls alike are quiet and a bit nervous when going to the boats but since nearly every participant has the opportunity to reel in a fish, by the end of the fishing and while they are enjoying a hamburger, hot dog and drink, they are boasting to everyone about the BIG fish that they caught and how hard the fish fought. It is an unforgettable experience for RISAA members and the kids alike.
Fishing Camp
For the past several years, except for during the pandemic, RISAF also has coordinated with RIDEM to sponsor a 3-day Fishing Camp.
The Youth Fishing Camp has been held at Rocky Point State Park in Warwick, Rhode Island. The Camp is free to all children and 50 children were accepted into the Camp. The children, age 7 to 12 participated in land based instruction on knot tying, US Coast Guard safety instruction, demonstration of different types of rod and reels, instruction on how to cast a spinning rod, shore fishing, etc. The children also fished on private boats one day and on a party boat out of Galilee, RI on another. RISAA members volunteered their time and some members volunteered their private boats. Employees of RI DEM were instructors at Camp and a member of the US Coast Guard auxiliary volunteered his off duty time. Food and water were provided to the volunteers and children during the three days.
This camp is just fantastic; a free fishing camp for kids by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. So what they do is to really teach kids how to appreciate nature and to have fun, to learn science, and they’re doing it all in a way that’s just really exciting for the children.
Janet Coit, Director, R.I. Department of Environmental Management
They’re learning today about different species of fish, but they’re also learning about tagging fish and how we monitor fish populations, and they’re learning science from some of our DEM scientists, and they’re having so much fun that they’re going to grow up to be environmental stewards and always going to come back to Rocky Point.
When we created this park, I was hoping that things like this would happen and having the Saltwater Anglers put on this Camp has just been spectacular.
I wanted to personally thank you for providing my son Jacob Green with a fun and educational experience. He really learned a lot and had an amazing time! Thank you again for having this amazing Fishing Camp.
Sarah Lynn Sherman, Parent, Warwick, RI