August 6, 2001
John Redding
(208) 378-5021
Jan Schrader
(509) 633-9584
TDD: 1-800-833-6388

Cast for Kids Reels in Whopper of Fun

Children with a wide range of disabilities will have the opportunity to reel in a whopper of a good time as they join some enthusiastic volunteers during the CAST for Kids event scheduled for Steamboat Rock State Park on Saturday, August 11.

CAST, which stands for "Catch a Special Thrill," offers children with disabilities an opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing at the reservoir located at Steamboat Rock State Park, near Grand Coulee, Washington.

"For some kids, this is their first experience fishing," said Shari Kohlbecker of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Regional Office. "For the volunteers, it’s a great opportunity to be part of a special experience that these children will remember for a lifetime."

The children invited range in age from 7-16 years old and have a variety of physical or developmental disabilities and, in some cases, a terminal illness. Each participant will receive fishing gear, tee shirt, and hat, Kohlbecker said.

The state bass anglers societies work under the large umbrella of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) and will be on hand with fishing boats and experience to assist novice anglers. The morning fishing events will be followed by a picnic lunch hosted by the Columbia Basin Job Corps Center.

Partners include: Bureau of Reclamation, CAST for Kids Foundation, Shriners Hospital for Children, Oregon State BASS, Columbia Basin Job Corps, local Boy Scouts, Washington State Parks, and Washington Department of Wildlife.

For information about the August 11 event, contact, Jan Schrader at Reclamation’s Grand Coulee Power Office (509) 633-9584. In the event of rain the CAST event will be canceled.

For more background information about the event, contact Shari Kohlbecker at Bureau of Reclamation, Suite 100, 1150 North Curtis Road, Boise ID 83706-1234 or (208) 378-5050.