Youth Initiative - Engage
| “The program will engage thousands of young men and women in all states and territories, from diverse backgrounds, including tribal and underserved populations and those who have little opportunity to experience the outdoors,” Secretary Salazar, June 8, 2009 |
Working with valued partners such as CAST for Kids, and community groups, such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Reclamation supports the Youth Initiative at the Department through outreach and volunteer activities.
“Catch A Special Thrill” for Kids Foundation (CAST) is a public 501(c) 3 Charitable Organization formed in 1991 to connect volunteers who love fishing and the outdoors with disabled and disadvantaged children who have an opportunity to enjoy their own fishing experience. CAST hosts two successful programs: the CAST For Kids Program and the Fishing Kids Program. Reclamation has been involved with CAST since 1992. At most CAST events, youth are provided gifts such as free fishing gear, tackle boxes, hats and T-shirts, a picnic lunch, an award with their photo, and goodie bags. Some events include contests to see who catches the largest fish while others orchestrate raffles to win prizes. These events involve numerous volunteers from Reclamation and other organizations who contribute both time and resources. Volunteers include: boat captains from fishing organizations, people from surrounding communities, first aid station attendants, and qualified volunteers providing water and boat safety demonstrations.
CAST has a national presence allowing children everywhere and of any means an opportunity to learn about water resources and fishing.
CAST and Reclamation
Former Pacific Northwest Regional Director/Commissioner John Keys and Wayne Deason of the Denver Office were both early champions of CAST events and the Reclamation partnership with the organization. Both Keys and Deason worked tirelessly to make CAST events part of Reclamation’s official public outreach.
In 2007, CAST events fulfilled the Secretary of the Interior’s call for agencies to highlight the issue of getting youth to appreciate and have fun in the outdoors.
In 2008, the Bureau of Reclamation sponsored 22 CAST events throughout the summer and early fall. In the 2009 season, there were an additional 19 events which drew an estimated 703 youth and their families.
CAST events often take place on public lands or reservoirs owned or operated by Department of the Interior agencies such as Reclamation, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Legislative Authorities and Departmental Goals
Reclamation has a stewardship responsibility to improve and provide increased recreational fishing opportunities through several activities as required by the following laws:
- The Federal Water Project Recreation Act (P.L. 89-72 as amended, most notably by Title XXVIII of P.L. 102-575),
- Take Pride in America Act (16 U.S.C. 4601-12 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 4601-31 et seq.).
Reclamation partners with CAST by using the authority of the Take Pride in America Act (16 U.S.C. 4601 et, seq). A Delegation Agreement between the Department and Reclamation was signed in 2008. It delegates authority to Reclamation for Take Pride in America program activities. CAST events are therefore, officially designated as “Take Pride in America” events.
Also, CAST events meet the criteria for the President’s “United We Serve” campaign, as well as the Secretary of Interior’s “Youth Initiative,” which encourages educational opportunities about public lands and waters for diverse groups of young people.
Visit the official C.A.S.T. for Kids website for additional information or view C.A.S.T. activities in the Great Plains Region, Upper Colorado Region, or Mid-Pacific Region. C.A.S.T. events are also held in the Pacific Northwest Region and in the Lower Colorado Region.
For more information, or to participate in an upcoming CAST event, please contact the appropriate public affairs office at: http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/presskit/mediacontact.cfm.
Volunteer Programs
In Fiscal Year 2009, Reclamation carried on the tradition of engaging youth through volunteer activities that expose young people to the great outdoors while improving natural resources. Youth service projects contributed to the 43,002 total volunteer hours calculated. Valuable youth volunteer activities on Reclamation lands and waters included a Boy Scout Eagle Scout project, and a large-scale clean up during a National Public Lands Day event along the 52-mile San Diego River watershed. The volunteers there assisted in removal of 42,100 pounds (21.05 tons) of trash and debris, collection of discarded automobile tires, car batteries, aluminum cans, bottles, and assorted scrap metal in support of California's recycling initiative.
If your organization is interested in a volunteer activity on Reclamation lands or waters, please contact Amy Sjerven at ASjerven@usbr.gov .
Last updated: 2/18/10