With visions of boats, tackle, and wriggling catches, about 40 local disadvantaged youth, and children and adults with disabilities are preparing for a day of boating, fishing, and a picnic at the Bureau of Reclamation's Lower Colorado Region's sixth annual C.A.S.T. (Catch a Special Thrill) for Kids event on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Lake Mead's Hemenway Harbor.

As in years past, this year's event will provide participants with an opportunity for an exceptional outdoor learning experience. The day will feature cruising and fishing with a volunteer expert skipper from the Las Vegas Striper's Club, Silver State Bass Anglers, or Nevada Division of Wildlife.

"The event site will be near the water's edge to keep C.A.S.T. for Kids a water-related event with an aquatic ambience," said Phil Aurit, Reclamation's C.A.S.T. for Kids Event coordinator-Lower Colorado Regioin. "For many of the participants the day provides an on-the-water fishing experience that they have never had before."

Set-up of the event site will take place on Friday, Oct. 15. Very early the next morning on Oct. 16, a "staff" of about 90 volunteers from Reclamation, other agencies, and local organizations will be on site to register the volunteers, skippers and anglers when they arrive. The anglers will then be assigned to a "captain", fitted with a personal flotation device, receive a personal fishing rod and reel, a fully-equipped tackle box, and a commemorative shirt and cap.

Las Vegas Boat Harbor is loaning several pontoon boats for the C.A.S.T. event to ensure those participants who use a wheel chair can easily access a fishing craft.

Railroad Pass Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas Boat Harbor, and the Las Vegas World's Fair in 2012 Committee are new cooperating agencies, and join other supporters such as the National Park Service-Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Las Vegas Striper Club, and Silver State Bass Anglers.

"Make A Wish, the Blind Center of Nevada, and a community organization new to C.A.S.T., Give Me A Break, helped us select the 40 participants for this year's event," said Aurit.