Join Us!

This is a C.A.S.T. for Kids event designed to provide children with special needs, ages 6-18, the opportunity to enjoy a quality outdoor recreational experience through the sport of fishing. Join us for an unforgettable morning of fishing, boating, and celebrating amazing children! Choose how you’d like to register.

What to Expect at a C.A.S.T Event

C.A.S.T. for Kids events are designed for children with special needs from ages 6-18. Events are free for children to attend, and all children leave with their very own fishing equipment! Children must be accompanied by their parent/guardian for the ENTIRE event.

Upon arrival, please check in at the event registration table. You and your child will be paired with a Volunteer Boater for approximately 2-3 hours of fishing. The fishing is followed by lunch for everyone and an awards ceremony for the children. A day of joy and celebration for all!

Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Contact the event coordinator with any questions or to see to see if a child out of the suggested age limit can participate. Please note only one parent/guardian is guaranteed a boat ride. Once registered, event details will be sent to you via email and text within two weeks prior to the event day.

We look forward to fishing with you!

what to expect at a boating event

Event Details

Event Date:03/29/2025
Start Time: 8:00 am
Type of Event: Boating

Event Coordinator

Terry B. Johnson
lakepleasant@castforkids.org
(602) 377-1694

Event Location Address

Pleasant Harbor Marina & RV Resort’s – Grassy area near Pleasant Harbor South Ramp
Enter East Gate from 87th Avenue and Carefree Highway. Follow Signs to South Boat Ramp
Peoria, AZ 85383

Click for Directions

Volunteer Information

Anyone with a heart to serve children with special needs is invited to volunteer! Fishing experience is not required. On average, volunteers serve 6 hours the day of the event. Shore Volunteers are needed to assist with set-up and organization, registration and sign-in process, photo process, preparing for and serving lunch, celebrating the children, clean up and more. For our boating events, Volunteer Boaters are needed to bring their boats and take the children and their parents/guardians fishing for 2-3 hours.

Pre-registration is required. All volunteers 13-17 years of age must have a registration form completed by parent/guardian.  Our 13–15 year-old volunteers must have either a parent or guardian on site. We ask that all volunteers’ children aged 12 and under stay at home so that our volunteers can give their undivided attention to our event participants.

Contact the event coordinator with any questions. Once registered, event details will be sent to you via email and text within two weeks prior to the event day. We look forward to serving with you!

Donate Today

Your financial support provides opportunities for children with special needs and their families to experience a day of fishing and brings a community together. Local donations along with the Foundation’s financial support provide everything needed for this special experience. We would love for you to get involved and see the impact your financial gift makes. Volunteers are needed at every C.A.S.T. for Kids event, and although we do this for the children, often we are the ones who experience the greatest joy!

“My daughter is usually nervous about new things but the captain (and his son) were great at explaining everything. She loved catching a fish, then laughing with the boat captain while he taught her about fishing stories. Which in turn made the awards ceremony fun when she got to talk about her 50 lb. fish (aka a 3lb bass). I felt like it was a wonderful day filled with so much love and inclusion for the people who often get left out. Loved seeing the boat captains & volunteers who made it such a fun, special day!” – Parent of Participant, Lake Pleasant

participants with fish on the boat
participant on boat holding a fish
boy holding a fish with a life jacket on

Event Gallery

Check out previous images from this event!

Event Sponsors

We sincerely thank all our sponsors who make this C.A.S.T. for Kids event possible!

texas farm bureau ins logo
Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s, Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation, AZ Barbeque Catering, Desert Mirage Roofing, FastSigns, Peoria Diamond Club, Phoenix Bass Masters, Pleasant Harbor Marina & RV Resort, Realty by Avo Awanesian, Robert D. Fisher Foundation, 5150 Soft Plastics, AirTime Cooling and Heating, Alternative Lures by Luis Lopez, Arizona Bass Federation, Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation, Arizona Custom Baits, Arizona Game Ranger Lodge FOP #71, Arizona Jr. B.A.S.S. Nation, Automotive Restoration Club of SCW, Big AZ Tents & Events, Bug-I-Jigs by Mitch Vitkovitch, Canyon Coolers, Circle K, Copperstate Tackle, East Valley Dermatology Center, East Valley Firefighter Charities Foundation, Efficient Roofing, ES Advisement, LLC, KastKing & Matt Shura Fishing, Key Impact Sales & Systems, Inc., Lake Pleasant Cruises, Inc., Liar’s Korner, Peoria Firefighters Charities, Phoenix Fishing Supply, PLEA Charities, Precision Pro Fishing Rods, RoboJunkie Boat Detailing, Shamrock Foods, Strongarm Lures, Sun City West Sportsmen’s Club, White Mountain Bait & Tackle, Inc., Wickenburg Marine, Wild Horse West
“This was my 16th year volunteering at this event. My favorite part is the stories the kids tell about their day on the water when they are receiving their plaques. My heart smiles to know I helped someone Catch a Special Thrill.” – Volunteer Boater, Lake Pleasant