Family Fun A Focus Of Kids Fishing Derby

Laura DeCook (left) helps a young camper with their fish t-shirt project.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Learning how to fish is often a rite of passage for many young people, and on Saturday several young people got the opportunity to get the line wet for the first time.

At the Russell Wildlife Area north of Oskaloosa, the apprentice fishers took part in a casting contest before heading off to the water. “It’s extra practice in a fun way,” says Mahaska County Naturalist, Laura DeCook.

In Iowa, the annual free fishing days went from June 3rd – 5th, and the program was put in place to coincide with that time. “We thought we would do a fun family event to kind of contribute to that [free fishing weekend], to give families an opportunity to take their kids out in a fun environment using our local natural resources,” said DeCook.

Saturday was warm, and the cool shade gave a good opportunity for participants to enjoy a hot dog, as well as create a one-of-a-kind fish inspired T-shirt.

DeCook sees the excitement in young people when they catch their first fish. “What I see as really beneficial is events like this, families are out here together and share that excitement.”

The events also give people an opportunity to ask questions in a safe environment, about how to do something like take a fish off the hook or bait the hook. “They are guided through the whole process to help them gain confidence and to know what to do if they go out on their own,” says DeCook.

As the population continues to be more urban, some outdoor skills, like those gained from fishing, are becoming less common. The program gives those kids and their parents an opportunity to learn and explore something new. “Some kids go fishing quite a bit, others go when there is a special event. This provides them that opportunity,” added DeCook.

The grounds at Russell Wildlife will be extra busy over the coming month, as DeCook and Mahaska County Conservation welcome area youth to day camps.

Discovery Day Camp 1
June 6 – 7: Conservation Center, Russell Wildlife Area and is for ages five and under. Parents come with the child who is registered. Exploring the pond and learning what else lives in the pond besides fish.

Discovery Day Camp 2
June 8 – 9: Conservation Center, Russell Wildlife Area

Jr. Naturalist Day Camp 1
June 14 – 16: Conservation Center, Russell Wildlife Area will involve studying prairies and pioneers, and participants will get an opportunity to cook like a pioneer. Archery.

Jr. Naturalist Day Camp 2
June 21 – 23: Conservation Center, Russell Wildlife Area

Challenge Day Camp
June 28 – 30: Conservation Center, Russell Wildlife Area will focus on famous American explorers. Lewis and Clark will be some of those explorers who will be looked at. The pair have a tie to Iowa.

Modern explorers will also be looked into and those who explore the deep seas, space “and what can we do here to explore”, said DeCook.

You can find out more about Mahaska County Conservation on their website here – http://www.mahaskaconservation.com/