National fishing in schools program application
Summary: The “Fishing in Schools” program is a nationwide academic program that teaches students how to fish in grades K-12 through college. The parent organization is the Fishing Education Foundation (FEF), a non-profit 501 (c) (3), formed in 2019. The National Fishing in Schools Program (NFSP) is the trade name of the parent.
FEF enlists support from the private sector, fishing industry and governmental organizations involved in the outdoors. Monetary as well as payment in kind contributions, as available, enable us to provide grants to schools to facilitate their participation.
Program Design: The program is patterned after the proven, successful “Archery in Schools” program (NASP). The fundamental concept of “Fishing in Schools” is much the same, except students are taught how to fish as a regular in-school, academic course. The “Fishing in Schools” program accommodates students irrespective of gender, physical ability or natural aptitude. A standardized two week curriculum unit for Physical Education teachers is the normal gateway. NFSP curricula meet SHAPE Standards for Physical Education, Science, Language Arts and Technology.
Two Curricula: The comprehensive “Cast A Fly, Catch A Student” is our original fly fishing curriculum. The sequel, “Cast A Lure, Catch A Student”, instructs using spincast rods. Both curricula provide everything a school needs to get underway: training, curriculum and equipment. Detailed lesson plans and units of study provide schools the flexibility to expand their instruction well beyond the basic two week norm. (For more specifics on curriculum content and outcome objectives, and equipment provided, please see the “Curriculum” on this site; for training, please see "Training.")
A safe, fun and hands on activity, “Fishing in Schools” provides a foundation for the student to build upon and assists them in taking their newfound interest into the out-of-doors. Environmental stewardship, conservation and awareness are part of NFSP, encouraging “off the couch” initiative. The unit is skill-driven, utilizing a variety of unique instructional aids/tools (FishTargets and CasTargets) that enable skill assessment as they develop learning and angling skills for each student, regardless of experience or ability.
Teachers, at their option, have the ability to expand their program to provide additional knowledge and skills related to fishing in such areas as: tying knots, knowledge of fishing equipment, fly/lure making, rod building, reels, rods, lines, leaders, aquatic entomology, conservation ethics and principles, flies, fish and more advanced casting techniques.
F.I.S.H.* : The majority of our public schools are in session during “winter” months, often when open water and/or suitable weather make on-the-water activity seasonally inaccessible. This makes many outside activities, particularly fishing, not practical/possible. “Fishing in Schools” takes place in school gymnasiums and therefore is an effective “surrogate”. It prepares students with the basic skills indoors, so come spring, they will be “rarin’ to go” fishing on the water.
As a means to provide the opportunity for on-the-water experience, and serve as a culminating outdoor fishing outing for students, NFSP encourages schools to conduct a F.I.S.H. event (*Fishing In Schools Happening) at the conclusion of instruction. (For additional details, see F.I.S.H. Events on this site.)