C.A.S.T. For Kids Events in the Upper Colorado Region

Elephant Butte and Lake Powell

Written by: Valerie Heath-Harrison, Regional C.A.S.T. Coordinator

C.A.S.T. Member Enjoying Their CatchOn September 12 and October 3, the Upper Colorado Region sponsored C.A.S.T. for Kids events at Elephant Butte and Lake Powell, respectively. Both events were unique in that they were coordinated by private citizens acting in a volunteer capacity on behalf of Reclamation.

Both events had been cancelled earlier in the year for various reasons and Jim Yelas, Executive Director of the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, reached out to his contacts and was able to secure the services of Messrs. Will Dooley and Jarrett Edwards to plan and coordinate the events at essentially the last minute.

Because both volunteers had only a short window of time (about 2 months) and a lack of CAST-specific event planning experience in which to pull off the events, they were smaller than usual. However even then, the children involved had a great time.

Specifics of each event

Elephant Butte Mr. Dooley is an employee of Lago Rico, Inc., which operates Marina del Sur (in addition to two other marinas on Elephant Butte). With the assistance of another employee, they were able to secure donations of food for breakfast and lunch, boat captains and participants.

The day was calm and beautiful, fishing was good for bass, and the kids excited to go for a boat ride. Three of the kids spent time fishing off the marina platform while waiting for lunch and were very successful at catching several bass, which they promptly let go.

A pancake breakfast was prepared by volunteers for all attendees and a lunch of grilled hot dogs, chips, watermelon, and drinks was prepared and served by other volunteers.

Marina Del Sur has a Facebook page where other attendees posted some great photos. So if you would like to see more, please visit https://www.facebook.com/MarinaDelSur.

Mr. Dooley said he is willing to make the Elephant Butte event bigger and better next year and is excited to get started.

Lake Powell Mr. Edwards is a professional angler with an outdoor television show, “Jarrett Edwards Outdoors” which can be watched online at http://www.jarrettedwardsoutdoors.com/. It is also syndicated on the World Fishing Network, Altitude Sports and the Sportsman's channels.

The Lake Powell event was held at the beautiful Antelope Point Marina on the eastern shore of Lake Powell. Fishing was very good, with lots of bass and catfish caught and one sunfish that this author saw. Most of the fish were released after being brought in, but a few of them made for some tasty dinners later that day.

Lunch was prepared and served by employees of Antelope Point and consisted of pulled chicken barbecue sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw, fries, tater tots, drinks and ice cream for desert.

Special thanks to employees from the Glen Canyon Field Division who helped at the event, including Don Elwood, Damion Thomas, Corey Kidwell, Tim Tilney and JC Franklin.

In Closing Much gratitude is extended to our citizen volunteers. You selflessly gave of your time to ensure the children in your areas could experience this opportunity. We could not have done it without you!

Published on October 06, 2015