"HOOKING" YOUTH ON FISHING FOR THE FUTURE

who we are

The National Fishing in Schools Program (NFSP) is the registered trade name of the Fishing Education Foundation (FEF). FEF is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation founded in 2009, with the sole purpose of providing financial support to schools wishing to participate in "Fishing in Schools."

Funding for FEF is provided by public and private foundations, state and federal entities, companies and individuals interested in teaching youth the valuable lifetime benefits of fishing. To facilitate their participation, FEF awards grants to applicant schools as funds become available. 100% of the tax-deductible contributions received by the Fishing Education Foundation are used to support schools and institutions wishing to instruct "Fishing in Schools" to their students.

When awarding grant funds, the FEF/NFSP preference is for 50% matching funds: i.e., the participating school pays 50% of the cost and FEF awards a grant for the other 50%. In some instances, full funding is available for a limited number of applicants. Grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis.

Our MISSION

The misssion of the National Fishing in Schools Program is to provide educators with an effective in school program that empowers them to teach outdoor education to youth using fishing as the instructional method. As a result, NFSP expects to increase participation in fishing and outdoor activities among such students. In addition, providing a foundation of understanding and respect for our natural resources will result in better care and attention to their protection and enhancement.

GOAL

The goal of the National Fishing in Schools Program is to provide educators with an effective in-school program that empowers them to teach outdoor education to youth using fishing as the instructional method.
  • "EVERY CHILD NEEDS NATURE. NOT JUST THE ONES WITH PARENTS WHO APPRECIATE NATURE. NOT ONLY THOSE OF A CERTAIN ECONOMIC CLASS OR CULTURE OR SET OF ABILITIES. EVERY CHILD."
    Richard Louv
  • "TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD SHOULD BE TREATED AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THEIR LIVES."
    Thomas Berry

NFSP MAKES IT EASY

By offering an all inclusive program that includes TRAINING, CURRICULA AND COMPLETE EQUPIMENT PACKAGES we make it easy for an educators to teach fishing.

TRAINING

NFSP provides training for all teachers who wish to teach the curriculum. No matter the prospective instructor’s level of fishing experience and expertise, each must first be certified as an NFSP Level 1 Teacher via an NFSP "Teacher Training" course; in person or online. Teachers are trained in either the "Cast A Fly, Catch A Student" (fly fishing) or "Cast A Lure, Catch A Student" (spincasting) curriculum, or both.

Set-up and operation, equipment, and training methods used in NFSP are standardized and the same for every school participating in the program. If an educator is new to angling, our training prepares the teacher to confidently and effectively teach the sport to youth.

TWO CURRICULA

NFSP lesson plans are standards-based, having followed SHAPE National Standards. They are presented as in-school curriculum, so that despite what Mother Nature has in store outdoors, students can still be learning this valuable outdoor skill, indoors, in their school gym.

NFSP lesson plans were co-written by educators (including a National PE Teacher of the Year) and passionate anglers. Lessons are designed to be compliant with 4 core content standards: Physical Education, Science, Language Arts and Technology. Both curricula are designed to be taught for 10 days and offer more than 10 lessons in each. The lessons are easy to use and administer while offering flexibility to the needs of the teacher. With assessments built in to every lesson (and quizzes along the way), tracking your students learning and improvement is made easy. NFSP makes teaching the sport of fishing easy for educators. We provide curriculum and equipment tailored to:
  • Elementary School - grades K-5
  • Middle School - grades 6, 7 & 8
  • High School - grades 9, 10, 11
  • College & University
  • Other educational programs & NGOs

Curriculum Kits

NFSP offers two complete curricula kits: one is oriented towards fly fishing, "Cast A Fly, Catch A Student", the other uses spincast tackle, "Cast A Lure, Catch A Student."

Equipment used in NFSP is age-group-specific, standardized and approved by the FEF Board of Directors. A principle of "Fishing in Schools" is that equipment used is safe, universal fit, modern, affordable, durable, easy for the teacher and the student to learn to use, and closely the same for every student within his/her age group.

The "NFSP Curriculum Kit" is equipped with everything a teacher needs to teach students how to fish, while at the same time educating students about various elements of the sport: fish, habitat/environment, food/imitations, conservation and more.

UNIQUE

One feature that makes the program successful are the unique FishTargets™ used in NFSP as teaching aids.  These photorealistic reproductions of fish are used as targets that provide teachers with educational tools that make the curriculum effective, fun and engaging. 

THE RESULT - YOUTH OUTDOORS - PROLIFIC SMILES!