If you’re concerned about helping youth connect with the outdoors, you may want to help or encourage your school or community organization to apply for  a grant from the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.

The RBFF has announced the availability of boating and fishing education grants for 2010. RBFF’s National Youth Fishing & Boating Initiative, which was created in 2008 to expand on the organization’s boating and fishing education outreach efforts, is encouraging youth-focused organizations to apply by January 4, 2010.

“We’re looking for high-quality education programs that give kids and their
families hands-on experience with boating, fishing and conservation,” said RBFF
President and CEO Frank Peterson. “Recent research shows fishing is the number one gateway activity for introducing children and their families to the outdoors. We believe these education programs help connect children with nature and go a long way towards creating future lifetime boaters and anglers.”

Key requirements of RBFF’s education grant guidelines include introducing boating and fishing to minorities and underserved communities. While all applications will be considered, RBFF will give special consideration to programs that offer multiple on-the-water learning opportunities, encourage long-term involvement of participants, provide training for instructors, promote conservation and support existing RBFF partnerships. In FY 2009, more than 185,000 kids participated in RBFF’s education programs.

To download the Grant Guidelines & Application and learn more about RBFF’s
National Youth Fishing & Boating Initiative, visit http://www.facebook.com/l/2269f;RBFF.org. Grant awards will be announced in April 2010.

A list of the 2009 grant recipients is also available on
http://www.facebook.com/l/2269f;RBFF.org.