Fishing unites families and engages youth in outdoor programs that celebrate life. Henry David Thoreau wrote “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
What would Thoreau say about the youth of today and their relationship with the outdoors? Obstacles that need to be overcome are reflected in the fact that youth now are exhibiting apathy toward these activities as outdoor deficit disorder becomes part of our public health dialogue. Also, threats to our natural resources exist through the invasion of exotic species, the impact of phosphates and other pollutants on ecosystems, and of acute concern, the destructive VHS virus. Finally, gaps in access to fishing experiences exist across populations stratified by socio-demographic measures. Programs that engage youth as stakeholders in our fishing and outdoor culture are vital to preserve our quality of life. Optimal programs include efforts that seek to serve youth from traditionally marginalized segments of the population. Fishing For Life is nationally recognized in our efforts to engage in this mission as a TakeMeFishing® agency through the National Parks and Recreation Association (NPRA).