Krystin: A LOCAL FISH HATCHERY IS GIVING SYRACUSE KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER A NEW PASSION.
CARPENTER’S BROOK FISH HATCHERY BEGAN THEIR TIME OUT TO FISH PROGRAM TODAY.
OUR WHITNEY WILLIAMS JOINS US TO TELL US HOW FISHING CAN BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
Whitney: WE OFTEN HEAR THAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT CATCH AND RELEASE.
WELL THIS MORNING, PARTICIPANTS TOOK THAT QUITE LITERALLY AT THE TIME OUT TO FISH PROGRAM.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN FOSTERING INCLUSIVENESS AND COMMUNITY FOR ALMOST FIFTEEN YEARS.
THIS MORNING WAS FILLED WITH LAUGHTER, SPLASHING AND SCREAMING AS SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS FROM LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL PICKED UP THESE FISHING RODS.
Nevaeh Hodge:
(“There’s a lot of fish. My best friend nearly hit me with her fishing pole.”)
TEACHER, DEREK MARSH, SAYS TODAY HOLDS A LOT OF FIRSTS FOR MANY KIDS.
FIRST TIME FISHING.
FIRST TIME TOUCHING A FISH
AND FIRST TIME TOUCHING A WORM.
Derek Marsh:
(“A lot of the kids never fished, never really experienced anything outdoors, and don’t have the access or maybe even the family to take the kids fishing.”)
FISHING AID, KEN WAITE, WHO HELPS THE KIDS, SAYS FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME IS EASY WITH THE BEGINNER-FRIENDLY EQUIPMENT THEY PROVIDE.
Ken Waite:
(“The push button rods are pretty easy. It’s got the push button. It’s just like throwing a baseball. Like, you know, push the button, you know, let it go right at the end and it’ll go out.)
TEACHING ASSISTANT TAVONNA JONES SAYS THE ENERGY AT THE POND WAS CONTAGIOUS.
Tavonna Jones:
(“you can see the excitement on their faces. It’s really funny. And just having them catching worms and I mean catching fish with the worms and putting everything on a hook. It’s really great.)
THE TEACHERS SAY FISHING TEACHES STUDENTS IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS, LIKE PATIENCE AND GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO GET OUTSIDE…WHICH NEVAEH LIKES VERY MUCH.
Nevaeh:
(“it’s like a break from, like, being inside all day and, like, going on electronics and stuff. It’s like fun to get outside and everything.”)
The Time Out to Fish program will continue until August 2nd, WHERE TEACHERS SAY…..
Whitney: PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER AND PAY THE $5 REGISTRATION FEE IN ADVANCE.
THEY CAN DO THIS ONLINE AT ONONDAGA COUNTY PARKS DOT COM OR BY CALLING THE ONONDAGA PARKS RESERVATION OFFICE.
REPORTING LIVE IN ELBRIDGE, I’M WHITNEY WILLIAMS.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)– Today marked the commencement of a tradition, as Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery launched its Time Out to Fish program for the season.
Twenty students from Lincoln Middle School visited the pond, ready to take on the adventure of fishing.
Amidst laughter, splashes, and the occasional scream, one student, Nevaeh Hodge, said she enjoyed spending time with her friends today.
“There’s a lot of fish. My best friend nearly hit me with her fishing pole,” said Nevaeh.
For many of these children, today marked a series of firsts — first time fishing, first time touching a fish, and even the first encounter with a wriggling worm.
Derek Marsh, a teacher accompanying the group said programs like this are important to Central New York.
“A lot of the kids never fished, they never really experienced anything outdoors. Some don’t have the access or maybe even the family to take them fishing,” said Marsh.
Many of the students visiting were special needs students, whom the program primarily caters to.
Ken Waite, long time fishing aid at Carpenter’s Brook, said the highlight of the program for him is helping beginners.
“Getting to see people catch their first fish is amazing. They love it and they want a picture with it and everything. Then they’re some people who don’t want to hold the fish at all. It’s great,” said Waite.
Carpenter’s Brook provides participants with fishing equipment and bait. Waite said their push button rods make fishing simple.
Beyond the thrill of the catch, Marsh said fishing can impart valuable life lessons, teaching patience and offering a chance to enjoy the outdoors.
Nevaeh concurred, expressing how happy she was to escape indoor routines.
“It’s a break from being inside all day and just going on electronics and stuff. It’s fun to get outside and everything,” said Nevaeh.
Marsh said in a few weeks he will accompany another set of students who are eager to take on fishing.
The Time Out to Fish program will run every Wednesday and Friday until August 2, except June 19 and July 5.
Waite said they expect the program to be quite busy in the next few weeks.
Participants are required to register and pay the $5 registration fee in advance. This can be done online at onondagacountparks.com or by contacting the Onondaga Registration Office.
