'Take Me Fishing' at Kett

Kettunen Center has increased its water-related educational program activities through a new Take Me Fishing program grant.

The initiative, which began in September, launched innovative and dynamic winter programming. It has sparked the development of new programs and the purchase of new equipment and supplies for water-related educational and recreational activities for guests.

The Take Me Fishing program focuses on getting children, ages 3 and older, families and adults outdoors to enjoy fishing year round, lake ecology, canoeing, kayaking, nature study, snow science, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and bird watching for learning, physical fitness and an appreciation of Michigan’s natural water resources.

“The overall goal for the Take Me Fishing initiative at Kettunen Center was to involve 2,000 youth and adults in fishing, boating and water-related educational program activities this year,” said Andrea Grix, Kettunen Center education coordinator.

The Take Me Fishing program is funded by a grant from the National Recreation and Park Association provided by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. The grant funded the purchase of new ice fishing equipment and supplies, including an ice shanty fishing shelter for programming and an ice auger. It also funded life jackets, a new paddleboat, repairs to the dock and the resurfacing of the handicapped-accessible trail to the Kettunen Center waterfront.

Grant subsidies for programs meant lower fees for participants of the Take Me Fishing Family Fun Day, the Winter Family Fun Day, one-day 4-H TRACKERS school field trips and multi-day overnight camps and a Project WILD curriculum workshop for educators.

Originally published in the Spring 2010 issue of Vantage.