Go Play Outside Alliance of Washington (GoPAW)
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The Go Play Outside Alliance of Washington and its many recreational partners, associations, organizations (non-profit & government) promote and support youth based outdoor recreational activities.
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September 8th;
The Puyallup Fair is here, starting tomorrowSeptember 9th with an opening free entry, must make a can food donation, between 10am and 12:00pm. The Northwest Outdoors "Go Play Outside" Building is looking sharper than ever with a great variety of different activities this year. Layout is different than in the past so make sure you drop by and give things a looking over. Fishing pond is a new pond this year and while smaller will continue to offer youth a first time opportunity at catching a fish.... yes Mom and Dad, you don't have to take a fish home as this is a catch and release event. Pond does not ha a deck this year and is 4 feet tall, GoPAW has put steps on the front side of the pond to offer those younger anglers a chance to see what they are fishing for. Parents and visiors are invited to take a seat on the bleachers at the rear of the fishing pond for a rest or just to watch the young anglers in action. Pond hours are 12 - 2:30 and 3:30 to 6pm.
The snowshoe track and pellet range are slightly different but again offer those young at heart a chance to enjoy two other free activities. While on your way to these activities, check out the Washington State Trapper Association's booth. They have a wonderful collection of different animals that you can touch and see what they feel like. Its a great chance to about a great game management tool and one of the oldest types of activities that were commonly found here in the Pacific Northwest (Hudson Bay Trading Company and the Northwest Company were both found in the Puget Sound region.)
Be sure to check back during the fair for some other great activity reports and happenings. The Puyallup Fair ... It is the place to be!
The Puyallup Fair is coming up quickly in Western Washington and we hope to see you there!
GoPAW in partnership with many other organizations across the state are putting together anotherfantastic free exhibit for all to come and enjoy. See our webpage (Northwest "Go Play Outside") to the right to find out more about what is going on this year.
Go Play Outside partnershp agreement #07-1000
2010-2011Annal Report
This is a project that was first started in partnership with the Washington Wildlife Federation (Washignton Wildlife Coalition subgroup) and WDFW. In 2009, the Washington Willife Coalition formed its own 501(c)3 nonprofit and now is known as the Go Play Outside Alliance of Washington (GoPAW). GoPAW has been working in partnership under the partnership agreeement #07-1000 with WDFW. This agreement expired on July 1, 2011 and is in limbo while WDFW determines where it wants thsi to go in the future. GoPAW and its predicessor met or exceeded all expectaions for this project and hopes that the department will continue the project as originally created. GoPAW encourages any member of the public to contact the department or commission member to voice their support for this public donation funded program.
Have a youth related activity that fits with what we promote in Washington State, send us an email and we will consider adding it to this website and event calendar. Email webmaster@gopaw.org with the info, a contact name and organization.
The Washington State Dept of Fish and Wildlife has announced the awarding of a $110,000.00 ALEA Grant to promote youth fishing activities in 2012 and 2013. GoPAW is excited to recieve these funds and will be working with local groups around the state in the coming months to set Kids' Fish-In activities for the upcoming two years. Dates and locations will be posted on the 2012 Kids' Fish-In page (see tab) as available. All dates will be posted no later than February for 2012.
2011 Salmon Festival iscoming soon and GoPAW is excitedto once again be participating in this great event at the USFWS National Hatchery on the Icicle River in Leavenworth Washington.
See: www.salmonfest.org for more details, dates and a list of events, activities and more!
The Capitol City Bowmen (http://crispie.com/ccb)are putting together their annual Wild and Wooley 100 - 3D archery event at the Capitol City Gun Club on July 2nd and 3rd.This event is open to all ages and provides some of the best 3D target shooting in the Pacific Northwest! Check out the following link for more informtion and to register: Information/Registration flyer
The Tradition Bowhunters of Washington (www.tbwonline.org) are putting on their 11thannual WAJAMBevent for youth and adults this year in Cashmere Washington. This is a great opportunity to come and learn how to make a selfbow, wind a bow string, make cedar shaft arrows and even take time to shoot it at targets once completed. Youth participation is free, click on the link below for more information! This is a great group to come and learn about traditional archery methods!
A special thanks goes out to all that have helped GoPAW make this year one of the best years for the youth of this state!
THANK YOU!!!
It is that time of year where the leaves turn color and the hunting seasons takes many of our volunteers into the fields, lakes and streams to "practice what they preach" and enjoy the out of doors. Be sure to be safe and we look forward to seeing everyone once again when the events and activities of 2011 begin to happen in the spring.
GoPAW received its formal notice in writing from Jim Scott, Asistant Director for WDFW, announcing that the funds were cut for the Youth Fishing Program, aka Kids' Fish-In.
Many newspaper articles and internet chat boards are now alive with folks voicing their concern and furstrations about this! Please remember that while WDFW does play a role in this decision, it is ALSO those folks that reside in the legislature that made this happen through their actions in the 2009-2011 budget and the 2010 supplimental budget process. While we all would like to know where the outreach dollars are going, it is important that as groups we put our heads together and figure out how to fund the program for next year without the help or recognition of the department.
GoPAW stands by its mission to get the youth of Washington out of doors and learning / experiencing / and most importantly of all participating in the activities that we all share in the traditions and heritage in this state!
ThePuyallup Fair wasanother raving success for the volunteers andGoPAW!
3500 youthages 3-14had a chance at catching a 1/2 poundRainbow Trout, put on snowshoes and walk the straw trails through the christmas trees, and shoot a pellet gun on the Northwest Outdoor buildings - Washington Hunter Education Instructors Pellet Gun Range. We hope you got a chance to join us insideagreat venuefilled with over 25 different volunteer organizations offering activities and informatoin about things to dofor little or no cost!
See you again next year!
Do the PUYALLUP ... the fair that is!!
Sept 10th through the 26th
GoPAW is busy setting up for yet another great year of events and activities for the kids to enjoy this year in the Northwest "Go Play Outside" Outdoors Building. Come on in and check it out. It is all free inside this building and who knows you might also get some new ideas for family activities. There will be a snowshoeing track (well, okay it will be a straw track but still loads of fun for young and old alike), then there will be a pellet gun range to try out your aim at lots of great targets on weekends. Then there is the 5000 gallon fishing pond with some great BIG rainbow trout provided by the folks at the Puyallup Hatchery (Thanks!). I have been told that there are fish that will weigh in at nearly a pound this year. Real WHOPPERS!
And don't forget to enjoy all of the other activities by the many other volunteer groups in this building. It is loaded with more activities than you can shake a stick at... and they are all free!
Snowshoe track, Pellet Range, and Fishing Pond are only open Friday through Sunday. The hours are 12pm to 2:30pm and 3:30pm to 6pm.
Oh, when the pellet gun range is not operating there will be a brand new venue in its place each day (Monday through Thursday). It is the new Outdoor Theatre! Come and watch a video and rest those feet at the same time. OH, why not pick up a hotdog or hamburger, ear of corn or some cotton candy before the shows. Its bound to be a great new addition to this years fair!
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 lessthan 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 investmentto 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 contractto 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 programto 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 programcame in$30,000 under Budget.
GoPAW is proud to release this document to the public for theirinformation 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 enjoyinga great dayin 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, inWhitman 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 staffwith 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 yetanother great fishingadventure. 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 youthtook 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 whowas 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 asnearly 2400 youth joinedin onsome great angler activities. Fish kept biting and limits were hadby most of the participants throughout the day. A special thanks goes out to all our volunteers who reallydo make these events happen for the youth in our state.
Its once again time to think about those summer activities and some fun things todo 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 daughterfor a great week of camp at the famousPacific NorthwestCampCispus. 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! Registrationis 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 firstRainbow Trout. Online applicationscan 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 donationin support of youth outdoor programs that are part of the Go Play Outsideinitiative through the following link. Please consider this also when you are purchasing a license for Hunting and Fishing in thestate of WAshington. Eachlicensevendor and online purchase has an option to support these programs. Make sure to ask them, or:
Why notdo ittoday, it is 100% tax deductable!
Make a DonationforKids!
Donations are collected through a dedicated accountthrough WDFW for youth programs. These funds areare then transferred to GoPAW through acontract with the agency to supportthe "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'shappening 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 beadded 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.orgor 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 EXPOCANCELLED
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 YouthOutdoor AdventureExpo 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 aregistered non-profit(formerly known asthe"Washington Wildlife Coalition")and isthe statewide promoter of events that youthcan 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 constantlybeing 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.
