Go Play Outside Alliance of Washington (GoPAW)
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Recent updates as of August 20, 2010
Go Play Outside Alliance of Washington and its many recreational partners, associations, organizations (non-profit & government) promote and support outdoor recreational activities.
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News
Its official - WDFW cuts funding of Kids' Fish-In program.
After 13 years of Youth Fishing activites, WDFW has chosen to use the Federal DJ Funds it receives for other purposes. GoPAW is providing the reports and balance sheet for this past years program in hopes that the general public and its many volunteer organizations can appreciate what was done to provide this resource to each community where it was held. View Balance Sheet.
GoPAW was able to provide the program at a cost of $30,000 less than what was bid and provided for. These funds were fully matched so that no costs were had by WDFW. The fact of the matter is that WDFW not only took its administrative overhead cost of about 26%, they also gained in fishing license sales due to families discovering the fun of fishing and getting outside and playing! An estimated return on investment to the $120,000 investment of federal funds provided a potential of at least $80,000 to the agency for other purposes.
WDFW has yet to recognize or demonstrate any appreciation for the program that GoPAW provided under contract to the communities of Washington State. They have also not provided any written statement that demonstrates that they will be formally cutting the program. By contract, this was to have happened.
Questions should be asked by the public as to the details surrounding this decision and what the funds are being used for instead of promoting fishing activities, for which its very mission statement says that it will do through 2015.
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GoPAW presented its' report on the 2010 Kids' Fish-In program to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Youth Fishing program coordinator and staff supervisor on June 23rd at 10am. The meeting lasted approximately 2 hours and was a comprehensive review of the deliverables and outcomes written in the contract for this time period; including all sites where Kids' Fish-In events were held. Below is the copy of the report presented in its entirety. It has not been edited and is the same as was presented to WDFW. Please note in reading, that required deliverables were met and in most cases exceeded the requirements. It should also be noted that this years program came in $30,000 under Budget.
GoPAW is proud to release this document to the public for their information and reading pleasure. Questions and comments are gladly accepted and can be sent to webmaster@gopaw.org
Click Here to view the report: 2010 KFI REPORT
(In an effort to be transparent so that all participants and members of the interested public, GoPAW will publish on this site a copy of the final finance report. It is anticipated that this will be avialable sometime in mid July.)
IF you have questions about this or comments concerning WDFW's decision, please address these to WDFW, the Director's office, Deputy Director's office, Fish Program Assistant Director's office and the WDFW Commision. They need to hear your voices and desires as we move towards a very difficult funding situation in Washington State.
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GoPAW concluded the Kids' Fish-In season like it started off... with a loud and excited FISH ON! This past weekend three events were held across Washington state and had nearly 1400 youth handling their new Zebco "slingshot 202" rods and reels in hopes of catching their first fish of a lifetime! They did so with some great weather and some great rainbow trout! The sun shown brightly in all locations and the bite was on shortly after the lines hit the water. Whether it was Gilchrist Pond near Colfax WA, Cascade Park on Moses Lake, or the USFWS Quinalt National Salmon Hatchery on Cook Creek Hatchery located near Humptulips, WA; all were smiling and enjoying a great day in the out of doors.
GoPAW wishes to thank all its sponsors and volunteer groups that assisted in making this years events a HUGE SUCESS.
Lake Sacajawea - Key Word was SUN!
After a week of gray skies and lots of rain, the sun came out in Longview to find 400 smiling faces and lots of hungry fish awaiting the action. And it was 'Fish On' in quick fashion. Fish cleaners were kept busy from the very start! Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers that made this event a huge sucess! Also a huge thanks to the folks from Longview Parks and Recreation for all their time and energy!
Gilchrist Registration form now available, sign up and have some fun near Colfax, in Whitman County!
KOMO, Channel 4 features Silver Lake's Kids' Fish-In, see the footage, click here:
http://www.komonews.com/home/video/94881824.html
Seattle, Washington: The Skies looked threatening for a short time, but the front kept moving northeast thankfully as 540 youth ages 5-14 years of age enjoyed some of the best fishing that they have ever experienced. Trout, over 2000 and up to 4 pounds, were splashing all over the place. Special thanks goes out to the 36 volunteers from the Coastal Conservation Association, Puget Sound Anglers, Trout Unlimited and many more for their time away from their own fishing persuits to help the youth of the Green Lake area enjoy a chance to catch that first fish! Also GoPAW would like to thank the staff with Seattle Park and Rec. for their help in making this a great event1 It was indeed a great day for fishing!
GoPAW to participate in the 20th Aniversary Wenatchee River Salmon Festival at the Leavenworth National Salmon Hatchery on
September 16-19th 2010.
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Moses Lakes Cascade Park registration form is now available online, www.gopaw.org/kids_fish-in_program
Lakewood, Washington (May 15th): What do sun, water, fishing rods & reels, plus youth ages 5-16 years of age equal? Well today it equaled FUN! North Shore Park on American Lake was the site of yet another great fishing adventure. Fish averaging 14 inches in length provided a lot of action for everyone, both anglers and volunteers. " WOW, these fish are huge," was the remark made by one of the volunteers. A dad was overheard remarking that he was never this lucky when he goes fishing, sanying that "... he always catches the small ones." Well today the Kids' Fish-In proved to be the place you wanted to be for some great fishing action! Photos are coming soon! Check back for some of the excitement that was had.
Silver Lake in Everett was yet another location where over 600 youth took some time away from the house to experience a fun filled day on the water fishing. All were reported to have been successful having caught one or more rainbow trout.
"It was a great day and the kids had a great time," commented one of the park rangers who was in attendance at this years event. A big thanks goes out to all of the volunteers and their groups in making this event happen this year! This even was featured on Komo, Channel 4's Eric's Little Heros - see this link to view the program:
http://www.komonews.com/home/video/94881824.html
Sun and lots of Rainbow Trout.... the recipe for a great day of fishing! Reflection Pond at the Yakima Greenway's Sarg Hubbard Park in Yakima was the site for another great Kids' Fish-In event this past weekend. With nearly 8000 rainbows, including several that were over 5 pounds, anglers age 5-14 years of age had the experience of a lifetime. With many catching their first fish, all had fun. 
Wind, Rain and cloudy skies sure didn't take away the fun this past weekend in Kennewick at Columbia Park Pond and Clear Lake in Spokane as nearly 2400 youth joined in on some great angler activities. Fish kept biting and limits were had by most of the participants throughout the day. A special thanks goes out to all our volunteers who really do make these events happen for the youth in our state.
Its once again time to think about those summer activities and some fun things to do while learning about the environement we all live in and rely upon to support us. Here is a great opportunity to do both at the same time. Give a look see atwww.nryc.org and consider sending your son or daughter for a great week of camp at the famous Pacific Northwest Camp Cispus. Campers experience a fun environment of games, team builiding, hands on study of the world around us and what makes it work, and also some great friendship building! Give it a look see and why not sign up! Registration is now online for downloading >>> Download
Got'ta Itch to go Fish'n? There is still a little bit of room in the following events for youth interested in giving a try at catching their first Rainbow Trout. Online applications can still be found at www.gopaw.org/kids_fish-in_program and can be taken to the registration location listed on each application. Don't wait as these are bound to fill up VERY SOON!
Gilchrist (Colfax) and Moses Lake will have applications made availalbe in the couple weeks. Stay tuned and keep checking back.
Silver Lake Kids' Fish-In is now full, all registration spots for each session are filled wtih a great group of anxious anglers for May 15th's event. Keep the lines tight and have a great time anglers!
Longs Pond Kids' Fish-In event is history with many memories taken home of the first fish caught, the limit of two fish, and that fancy colored rod and reel that participants got to take home after paying the registration fee. Many thanks go out to the volunteers that helped to make this years event a HUGE success. This year's event had 600 participants with many more joining in on the fun fishing outside the netted event area. The weather was perfect fishing weather with temps in the 50's and rain showers that helped to keep the bite on. A short rod survey on Sunday following the event found that 61% of the youth anglers on the pond were participants in the previous days event! Keep on fish'n!
Vancouver's Klineline Pond Kids' Fish-In event is now past and it was a fantastic event for all who attended. Over 300 volunteers, nearly 1400 youth ages 5-14 years of age all gathered in Vancouver to spend a very nice day (okay a littel wind in the afternoon) fishing on the pond. Fish from 10 inches to 8 pounds, 2 ounces were caught through out the day.
NEW LINK TO HELP PROMOTE "Go Play Outside" programs. You can now make a donation in support of youth outdoor programs that are part of the Go Play Outside initiative through the following link. Please consider this also when you are purchasing a license for Hunting and Fishing in the state of WAshington. Each license vendor and online purchase has an option to support these programs. Make sure to ask them, or:
Why not do it today, it is 100% tax deductable!
Make a Donation for Kids!
Donations are collected through a dedicated account through WDFW for youth programs. These funds are are then transferred to GoPAW through a contract with the agency to support the "Go Play Outside" initiative. GoPAW is proud to spend 100% of the funding received from WDFW for youth programs!
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"KIDS' FISH-IN"
See, I got'em, you can too!
IT's happening everyone and dates are now being posted on the "Kids' Fish-In" page.
Check out the "Kids' Fish-In" Webpage for details on when and where each of these events will be held.
Registration forms will be added daily now for each event listed, if your local event does not yet have a form available, it will made available shortly. For sponsor participation or to find out more information, you can contact the program coordinator at KidsFishIn@gopaw.org or check out our SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES webpage now online where you can download the sponsors form, fill it out and mail it in support of one or more of these events.
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GoPAW in parthership with Pacific Power and Light and the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife will be hosting the Merwin Special Kids Day at the Merwin Hatchery near Woodland, Washington on the Lewis River. The date is July 17th. Select the webpage shown on the right and find out more about this great event and how you too can become involved by becoming a sponsor or helping to connect your group with this great event.
July 17, 2010
It will be a fun day for all!
Contact GoPAWStaff@gopaw.org for more information and opportunities!
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2010 YOUTH EXPO CANCELLED
January 25,2010 - Due to worsening state revenue collections and additional agency budget cuts, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife withdrew both financial and staff resources from the 2010 Youth Expo. With just four months remaining before our scheduled event, GoPAW is unable to fund, staff, and promote Expo with no WDFW participation. There will be no Washington Youth Outdoor Adventure Expo this year.
GoPAW contacted USFWS, and has reached preliminary agreement to site the 2011 Youth Expo on the grounds of the federal fish hatchery on Icicle Creek at Leavenworth, in eastern Washington. This location is in the midst of one of Washington's premier outdoor recreation areas. Planning meetings with the enthusiastic local community will begin later this spring.
Please stay tuned for more updates on the 2011 Youth Outdoors Adventure Expo
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Founded in 2003, GoPAW is a registered non-profit (formerly known as the "Washington Wildlife Coalition") and is the statewide promoter of events that youth can attend or participate in to learn about activities and opportunties that abound in the state of Washington. Links to the many different groups and partnerships are being constantly being added to help connect everyone together to learn about activities and opportunities to "Go Play Outside." Check in often as this page will be updated on an ongoing basis. It is our hope that you will find this website helpful in connecting your family with the many great opportunities that Washington State has to offer its citizens and visitors.
What We Do
Events and Activities are held throughout the state of Washington in collaboration with many different outdoor related non-profit associations (clubs, groups, organizations) in support of the "Go Play Outside" initiative on behalf of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Examples of these activities include:
- Youth Fishing
- Pellet gun or target shooting
- Archery (traditional and modern styles)
- Fly-fishing
- Canoeing
- Annual Youth Outdoor Adventure Expo
- County and State Fairs in Washington
How to reach us?
Are you interested in partnering or joining in on the many activities that GoPAW promotes? If so, drop us an email at webmaster@gopaw.org
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For non-profits; contact us for information on how your club or group can become a participating member and get your website or contact information linked through this site.
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Teachers and parents, if you are interested in activities or opportunities that might be available, please contact us for more information as to what we can offer or provide to your programs.
