Tens of millions of Americans enjoy fishing and boating every year. Anglers are often introduced to fishing and boating at an early age and can look back and remember the days they've spent fishing with friends and family with enjoyment. Fishing adds value to our lives and helps provide an escape from every day life. It is a physically active pastime and schools can provide an introduction to these lifelong activities.

The Future Fisherman Foundation and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation are partnering to sponsor the Physical Education - "Physh Ed" - Grants Initiative. These grants provide funding to help get fishing and/or boating classes started in your school. Fishing and/or boating education classes are designed to meet the national standards for physical education.

These grants provide up to $2,500 to certified physical education teachers to help establish a fishing and/or boating education program in their school. The grant recipient will attend a 5-day Physical Education Grants Training Workshop. Grant funds can be used for transportation to and from the workshop. Room and board at the workshop will be covered by the Future Fisherman Foundation and does not come out of the grant funds. The grant is open to all K-12 PE teachers who are national members of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

The application period for the 2008-2009 school year closed on February 4, 2008.

REQUEST for PROPOSALS

The partnership requests proposals to incorporate quality, viable fishing and boating programs into curriculum-based K-12 physical education classes.

ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS

Programs must expose at multiple class periods to the sports of fishing, boating, or a combination of both and must include an on-the-water experience during the grant period. Activities must include instruction in one or more of the following: spin-casting, bait-casting, fly-fishing, ice fishing, canoeing, kayaking, or power boating. They must also incorporate a resource management or conservation element. Supplementary activities may include fly tying, knot tying, water safety, or water rescue/CPR training. All program proposals are required to demonstrate an integration of fishing and/or boating into at least two other subject areas in addition to physical education.

Grants funds are not available to solely support clubs, after-school programs, or supplementary-education activities. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to include an after-hours program component. All equipment and/or materials purchased for a curriculum-based program may be used for any activity thereafter as deemed appropriate by the grant recipient.

AWARD CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated by a panel and will be judged on the following criteria:

• Need: Likelihood that the program will enhance students' physical activity and health.
• Program Design: Will the program introduce students to fishing and or boating and does it demonstrate cross-curricular integration?
• Capacity: Will the school be able to support a fishing and/or boating program in the current physical education program?
• Student Assessment: Use of a variety of methods to evaluate student knowledge and experience, as well as school and program objectives.
• Sustainability: Can the school and it partners continue the fishing and/or boating program in the future?

APPLYING for FUNDING - DEADLINE EXTENDED!