Children with special needs (ages 6 and older) and their caretakers come together with community volunteers for a fun day of fishing they may not otherwise experience. These events provide a refreshing break from their daily challenges. Spreading a positive message that kids with disabilities can accomplish anything, our events are accessible for all disabilities. This is all made possible through national and local sponsors-people who want to make a big difference in the lives of kids with special needs thus strengthening their community.

The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation enriches the lives of children with special needs, supports their families, and strengthens communities through the sport of fishing.

Through a joyful day of fishing, kids, their families and community volunteers come together for an explosion of fun and inspiration.

Participants are hosted at a local lake, or body of water, supplied with a fishing rod & reel, t-shirt, hat, and tackle box, partnered with an experienced volunteer angler and escorted onto a boat or onshore where, with the supervision of a parent or guardian, they are shown proper fishing techniques and receive natural resources education.  Participants and volunteers all then return from their morning fishing excursion to a lunch and an awards ceremony.

Goals of the C.A.S.T. for Kids Program

• Expose children, who may not otherwise get the opportunity, to the sport of fishing and the enjoyment of the outdoors
• Encourage continued participation in fishing by developing skills in the children along with their parents
• Spread a positive message that all kids are capable of experiencing the joy of fishing
• Provide education and understanding to children about fish as a natural resource
• Strengthen local communities through a positive relational experience between local groups, parents and kids

Events

C.A.S.T. for Kids events are held annually. Search our map to find an event near you. Don’t see an event near you? Please join our family of coordinators and host an event! We are always looking for passionate people who care about kids and strengthening their community.

Volunteers are critical to the success of every event. Before event day, volunteers may join the event planning committee and help with organizing various pieces of the event. Event day is a favorite, as volunteers set up the event, run registration, pass out fishing rods to the kids and get life jackets fitted. Fishermen volunteer their boats and experience to take out the kids on the water while shore volunteers set up the lunch and awards ceremony.