2009 Rockport Reservoir CAST For Kids Event

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For the first time in 12 years, the weather threatened to derail our CAST for Kids event at Rockport Reservoir near Wanship, Utah. Who would expect it to be cold and rainy on August 8th? An e-mail was sent out to all on Friday morning giving everyone the latest forecast from the U.S. Weather Service. To my pleasant surprise, most folks decided to come up and give it a try anyway – rain or shine. While the weather did keep some families away and the day was rather cool, no rain poured on our parade (for which we are very grateful). Those who attended are to be commended for being willing to brave the elements! In total, we had 29 participants that day as well as 21 boaters and 48 volunteers/supporters.

After the usual morning chaos, we got the children out on the boats and fishing was underway while the lunch pavilion was decorated and preparations made for the luncheon ceremony. Just as lunch was beginning one of the mothers came up to me and started to thank me, but couldn’t finish because she started to cry. Of course, I too, began to cry and after a few moments of mutual embarrassment, we looked at each other and smiled.  I told her that at least someone at every event cries because the day is so special.

The wind came up during lunch and folks were getting chilled, so we sped through the ceremonies and after-lunch raffle. The Friends of CAST group raised $437 through the raffle to support the Utah event. This is one of our highest returns and with a smaller group than usual!

Some of the responses from the parents highlight just how much CAST for Kids means to them:

“Our son, David and big David had a great time. David brought home a few fish and we cooked them and ate them upon his request. He couldn’t hold himself down telling about his fun outing on the boat to his cousins and grandparents. Thank you! Thank you and thank you!”

“It's our first time going to this event & Aramis caught two small fishes but, he had to throw them back into the water. All he thinks about is going fishing everyday.”

“Our 5 year old with Down Syndrome and a heart condition went fishing with the Utah group this past weekend and had a great time! He spent the entire award ceremony shouting, “Whoo-hoo!” Thanks for a great program for these special kids and their families.”

And from one of our boat captains:

“You can understand the meaning of ‘C.A.S.T.’ (Catch a Special Thrill) when you see this beautiful child . . . who spent the day at Rockport with us. The camera caught glimpses of this happy child as he held the fish that were caught by his father and his new friends who love to fish and share some time with this special child and his parents.”

I was sad to see the event end this year as I was having so much fun (in spite of the windy cold), but I look forward to next year’s event.

List of Sponsors:  Don Bigelow DDS PC; Bureau of Reclamation; Cabela’s; CAST for Kids Foundation; Costco, Murray; Curly’s Lures; Friends of CAST; Grizzlies’ Children’s Charities; Frito-Lay Inc.; Name Tag Inc.; Rockport Sports; Rocky Mountain Anglers; Strawberry Anglers; North Summit Fire Department; Take Pride in America; University of Utah Student Center Outdoor Recreation Program; Utah BASS Federation; Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; Utah Forestry, Fire, and State Lands; Verlo Ottley Nightcrawlers; Walmart; Weber Basin Job Corps; West Marine

Children’s Agency:  Utah Down Syndrome Foundation, Utah Parent Center, National Ability Center, Jordan Valley School