Children from the Wenatchee River Institute get hands on training from Mike
WE INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION – HELP US INVEST IN THE FUTURE
The future of cold, clean rivers and streams depends on a steady stream of advocates and conservationists stepping forward to roll up their sleeves, raise their voices and invest their time and talent. To make this vision a reality, the Icicle Valley Chapter dedicates hundreds of hours a year connecting kids to the outdoors, providing meaningful watershed and environmental education opportunities and mentoring burgeoning young conservationists.
Our youth education work relies on volunteers and supporters to be successful and thanks to all of you, we are able to:
- Run Trout In the Classroom programs in the Leavenworth and Wenatchee School Districts, reaching hundreds of students each year
- Support and volunteer at our regions Fly Fishing Academy in Shelton WA since 2009
- Wenatchee River Institute and Cub Scout introduction to fishing classes at Blackbird Island Pond
- Financial support to the Northwest Youth Conservation and Fly Fishing Academy, a collaborative project of the Washington State Council of Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers
- Scholarships for mid and upper Wenatchee Valley high school seniors who were planning to pursue degrees in fisheries or other natural sciences
- In July of 2002 we turned our efforts in conservation to education with “Little Kids Science Program” for summer school in the Cascade School District. This also was the beginning of many conservation and fish education programs in school districts around NCW. “Salmon in the Classroom” was introduced into the school systems and our club purchased materials and equipment for curriculum development in our local schools 4- 12 science programs. This would later lead to development of similar programs in Cashmere, Entiat and Manson. All this was raised through working with local (Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery and other conservation agencies such as Chelan County Department of Natural Resources.
- Numerous kids fishing projects at Leavenworth, Entiat and Winthrop National Fish Hatcheries, at Blackbird Island Pond, at the Wenatchee Sportsmen’s Show
- Introduce fly fishing to Discovery School students
- Support salmon in the classroom projects in schools in the upper Wenatchee Valley
Last year, we held three youth events and programs and reached more than 60 students and campers about our shared responsibility to care for and recover our local waters.
Support our youth education work today! As an all-volunteer organization, we need your time, expertise and donations to continue our great work!
HEADWATERS YOUTH PROGRAM
TU’s Headwaters Youth Program contains a developmental model called the “Stream of Engagement” that strives to provide opportunities for involvement at all ages and interest levels. Some programs like Trout in the Classroom and STREAM Girls put a heavy focus on watershed-based STEM learning, while others like the TU Summer Trout Camps and Academies serve as Fly Fishing 101 experiences for teen participants. With an evolving high school club program and college capstone called the TU 5 Rivers on over 100 college campuses across the U.S. we are keeping youth connected to conservation into adulthood.
Headwaters also offers youth memberships, Stream Explorers (ages 12 and under) and TU Teens (ages 13 to 17), that contain fun elements such as a trout-focused kids’ magazine, Stream Explorers and Teen stickers, and fun premium items like hats, books and logoed youth fly rods.
Learn more at www.tu.org/headwaters