CULLMAN, Ala. – This year’s C.A.S.T. for Kids Smith Lake Park event is set for Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 from 8 a.m.-noon. Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to sign up soon. The event is free for participants. The only requirements are children must 6-18, and parents or guardians must be with participants at all times during the day.
“C.A.S.T. for Kids is a national organization that gives children with special needs, ages 6 to 18, a chance to spend the day fishing,” said Coordinator Taylor Cain. “Some of the children have never been fishing, most have never been on a boat. Each child is assigned their own boat captain for the day. They will receive everything needed for a day of fishing, a tackle box, fishing pole, bait, hat and a shirt. Once all the kids come in, they will receive lunch and then we have an awards ceremony where each child gets a plaque.”
What about the boat captains?
“All of the boat captains are volunteers,” Cain said. “We spread the word through community involvement, social media and word of mouth. The entire fishing community has come together to make sure we have enough captains. One of our sponsors is a local fishing club, SLABS, they have been a huge part of the event and spreading the word.”
Cain talked a little bit about what boat captains do.
“The anglers will help teach the children how to fish, and they all go out of their way to make sure each child has an amazing day. I could never say enough good about our boat captains,” she smiled. “They are one of the most important parts of this event. The participants spend most of the day on the boat with their own angler, and the anglers make sure it is a day the participants will never forget. By days end the participant and angler are best friends, and they can’t wait to spend the day together again the next year. After the first year, most anglers want to come back year after year.”
C.A.S.T. for Kids released the following statement concerning its COVID-19 event policy and procedures:
The CAST for Kids Foundation will be holding all 2020 events in compliance with CDC, National, State and local guidelines for Covid-19. We will be following these guidelines for the safety, health and well-being of our participants, families, volunteers and staff. If we can hold an event according to state guidelines, as states phase in their re-opening, we will. However, our events may look different than they have in the past. Lunch and awards may be broken into separate groups to enhance social distancing. At a minimum, we will be implementing 6’ social distancing guidelines and the use of protective measures like masks and hand sanitizers. We are confident we have figured out how to provide a safe, relaxing, fun environment for everyone to enjoy at CAST for Kids events in 2020! However, it will be impossible to guarantee the safety of all CAST participants and volunteers. Please consider each of your individual risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic when making your decision to attend any CAST event.
For more information, visit CASTforKids.org/event/smithlakepark/ or www.Facebook.com/castforkidssmithlakepark/.
Copyright 2020 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
