ALEXANDRIA, VA (May 7, 2010) – Take Me Fishing today announced its participation in a new program that will use parks, forests and refuges as outdoor classrooms to improve learning and enhance fun outdoors. ED OUT, a pilot program led by the American Recreation Coalition (ARC) and launching June 2010 at schools in Prince William County, Va., will offer children in grades K-11 a day of experiential learning outdoors. The day will involve outdoor activities in and nearby school campuses. In addition, hundreds of students will travel to nearby recreation sites, where adjunct faculty will work with classroom teachers to deliver lessons ranging from physical sciences to history, art and even forensic science.
“Fishing is the most popular gateway activity that often leads to participation in other outdoor pursuits,” said Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We’re proud to be a part of the ED OUT initiative that’s connecting youth with the outdoors and creating future boaters and anglers who will cherish and protect our outdoor spaces.”
RBFF will produce an educational video in partnership with Discovery Education that will help get participants excited about aquatic activities and introduce them to the Take Me Fishing campaign’s new ‘Explore the Blue’ program.
Following the June 2010 pilot effort, additional school districts will be invited to join ED OUT. Pilot locations are under consideration in the Denver, Chicago and Seattle/Portland metropolitan areas.
Additional ED OUT partners:
• Federal agencies including the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Environmental Protection Agency
• Non-profit organizations including the National Wildlife Federation
• For-profit businesses including recreation equipment manufacturers and retailers
• National, state and local education institutions and more
For more information, visit www.funoutdoors.com. About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.
