Take Your Family Outside in 2011
Stephanie Vatalaro
1/3/2011
With 2010 behind us, it’s once again time to start thinking about the dreaded New Year’s resolution (dun, dun, dun). But instead of going with familiar choices like dieting or exercise, why not try adding more family time to your schedule this year? Activities like boating and fishing aren’t just fun ways to get outdoors, but they’re also a great opportunity for parents to spend quality time with their kids and reconnect them with nature.
To help make good on this year’s resolution we’ve even outlined a few of our favorite resources for parents and grandparents. Whether it’s fishing, boating or helping conserve the resources in your own backyard, we hope that by making time for family, you are able to inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.
Our Top Picks:
• Little Lunkers – Before testing your patience (and your kids’) out on the water; be sure to visit the Little Lunkers page. Here, kids can play games, check out pictures and learn more about the sport. And, unlike you’re first real trip, we guarantee they won’t hook each other.
• Explore the Blue – Designed for kids and adults, Explore the Blue aims to make any outdoor experience fun and educational for the whole family. Before hitting the water why not take an online field trip or create your very own fish? It’ll get you and your little ones ready for a fun and educational outdoor adventure.
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Conservation Through Participation – Teach your kids to help protect the waters they swim, boat and fish in by visiting our page dedicated to conservation efforts. Want to do even more? Consider spending a weekend volunteering as a family to clean up a local river or stream.
• Angler’s Legacy – Once the whole family has mastered the sport have them take our Anglers’ Legacy Pledge to introduce someone new to this fun activity. They’ll be the envy of the block when it comes to all things outdoors.
So, turn over a new leaf in 2011 and become the family man (or woman) you’ve always wanted to become. Hope to see you on the water this New Year!
Stephanie Vatalaro
Stephanie Vatalaro is vice president of communications for the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and its Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar campaigns where she works to recruit newcomers to recreational fishing and boating and increase awareness of aquatic conservation. Stephanie grew up in the Florida Keys as the daughter of a flats fishing guide. Outside of work, you can find her fishing and boating with her family on the Potomac River in the Northern Neck of Virginia.