C.A.S.T. for Kids – Lake Thurmond

05/30/2026

registration will open 3 months prior to event date

Join Us!

This is a C.A.S.T. for Kids event designed to provide children with special needs (minimum age 6) 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. 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: 05/30/2026
Start Time: 8:00 am
Type of Event: Boating

Event Coordinator

Karen Love Hilburn
lakethurmond@castforkids.org
(760) 791-6639
Dan Hilburn
lakethurmond@castforkids.org
(760) 460-6627

Event Location Address

Dorn Fishing Facility
County Road 124
McCormick, SC 29835

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

two children at lake thurmond

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!

“Having a child with special needs, it's hard to find events that include these kids. It was wonderful to have my kiddo included in and made to feel like he was the best thing going. It was also nice to forget about all the medical procedures going on and just have fun and enjoy the day. Everything was just done so perfectly. My most memorable moment was the joy on my son's face.” - Parent of Participant, Lake Thurmond

child waving on boat at lake thurmond
particpant in wheel chair at lake thurmond
two participants at lake thurmond
young child with fish at lake thurmond

Event Sponsors

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

America's Boating Club - Thurmond Lake, Thompson Hardware, Lee Builders Incorporated, Soap Creek Marina Clarks Hill Lake, Ray Ray Laidig, Dan Hilburn and Karen Love, Anna Winstead, Friends of Lake Thurmond
“Caregivers were so appreciative of everything we did. One little one was waving her arms from the boat as she has no hands nor feet, but she was smiling and enjoying the ride. I took the photo. When I got home and enlarged it, I saw her mom standing in the stern waving too - the sign language "I love you" to some of us on shore. SUCH a blessing! ” - Shore Volunteer, Lake Thurmond

Registration Links