Provide Joy by Giving the Gift of Fishing to Amazing Children!

C.A.S.T. for Kids events bring communities together to provide adaptable opportunities for everyone to experience the joy of fishing. Because time, resources, and accessibility can be limited, many families with children with special needs do not get the opportunity to experience a morning of fishing.

In a post event survey this year, a parent of a participant said, "My son normally does not stay at events - they are too loud or too overwhelming for him. This is the first event that he has stayed for the entire time - he didn't even want to leave! He is normally very anxious and does not connect with people because of his anxiety. However, the laid-back environment and the quiet allowed him to be himself! This is the first time he has ever received an award in front of people on his own! I couldn't believe that he wanted to get his award on his own:) He hugged his award all the way home!! Thank you so much for making this a possibility!!”

With the help of 3,796 tremendous volunteers and sponsors, we hosted 92 C.A.S.T. for Kids events in 26 states this year and gave over 3,000 children with special needs and their families the opportunity to experience the joy of fishing making 2023 a record-breaking year for C.A.S.T.! Our mission is to enrich the lives of children with special needs, support their families, and strengthen communities through the sport of fishing. We love giving families the opportunity to enjoy a special day and discover a new hobby. Plans are already in the works for 100 events in 2024!

Our goal this Giving Tuesday is to raise funds to bring the joy of fishing to 8 new communities in 2024. Our events are designed to host up to 40 children with special needs along with their families. Each child is partnered with an experienced fisherman and receives an event t-shirt, hat, fishing rod & reel, and tackle box. During lunch, we host an awards ceremony where every child has the opportunity to share their fishing story in the microphone and is presented a plaque to enjoy and remember their fishing experience.

From the joy of boat ride, the thrill of catching a fish, and the moments of being heard and celebrated at the awards ceremony, families are supported because their children get to enjoy a day full of possibilities. Will you please help us take some amazing children fishing this year and introduce families to a therapeutic hobby for all?