Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs Program (HOFNOD)
About HOFNOD
"Hooked on Fishing –Not on Drugs" is a national fishing promotion effort of the Future Fisherman Foundation of Alexandria, VA. It began in Arkansas in 1997, as a joint effort between the Governor’s Office, the Game and Fish Commission, and the Department of Education.
Hooked on Fishing –Not on Drugs® is a school-based program in Arkansas. It promotes fishing as a lifelong activity for students to share with family and friends to avoid drug use and other harmful behaviors. Students are also encouraged to participate in local conservation projects through the program. Hooked on Fishing –Not on Drugs® emphasizes the importance of community involvement in schools through local volunteers and program sponsors. Schools can utilize concerned citizens in many ways to have positive impacts on students through the program.
The aquatic education curriculum meets the frameworks of the Arkansas Department of Education for fourth grade and above. Subjects covered include fish anatomy and identification, water ecology, fish habitat, fish populations, and human impact. Certified faculty must attend a training workshop before implementing the program. Details on eligibility requirements for teacher workshops may be obtained by contacting the Program Coordinator Dawn Cook at (501)680-0183. Persons interested in volunteering with a school Hooked on Fishing –Not on Drugs® program may also contact the program coordinator for more information.
Quotes
"An emphasis in today’s education is "community involvement." Involving area fishing clubs brings caring, nurturing adults who are automatically sold on your program—they know that fishing or outdoor activities can keep kids out of trouble. It probably kept them out of trouble. You can take your troubles fishing, and leave them behind." –- Ron Duncan, Counselor, Central JHS (Springdale)
"One of the things that impressed me about this program was that it gives kids the opportunity to be successful at something... For many, it gives them the chance to get involved in something new (and fun!), for others it provides a better option than other things they can get involved in. I've seen the happy faces of so many of them! Catching a fish of any size gives them an instant feeling of success, which really does a lot for their self-esteem." –- Arkansas professional angler Penny Berryman, qualifier for over 25 women's tour championships
“We have received incredible local support with equipment and other items such as rods, reels, tackle, accessories, caps and food. This program has flourished because of huge local discounts on items and generous donations.” –- Dave Hunt, Coach, McNair Middle School (Fayetteville)
“I am a big supporter of this program. It has improved our test scores for life science, and helped students realize the importance of environmental stewardship.” –- Kathy Rusert, Teacher, Acorn High School
“I love to hear students talking about the hands-on exercises and events. They are still excited about previous activities. It’s nice to know they are sharing great stories about school events. That tells us we have discovered a worthwhile program.” – Amy Westfall, Counselor, Murfreesboro Elementary
|
Step One:
Schools can qualify to begin the program by completing these steps.
- Develop a mission statement outlining the program goals at the school
- Establish a school fishing club or group for students and elect officers
- Enlist sponsors and volunteers from the local area to assist the school with the program
- Hold a public kickoff event to announce the program to students, parents and community members
Step Two:
Upon completion of these conditions, schools will become officially involved in the program.
- Submit an administrator’s written endorsement supporting the program in the school
- Send certified faculty to a workshop to learn how to implement the program
- Incorporate a tackle-lending program in the school with the rods and reels supplied (quantities limited)
- Set up a classroom aquarium (one per school) with Arkansas fish species
- Complete activity reports requested by the Program Coordinator
For more information, contact:
Dawn Cook
Program Coordinator
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
(501)680-0183
Contact Us
|
The Aquatic Resources Education Program handles requests for fishing derbies, mobile aquarium visits, classroom aquarium placement, fishing tackle loaner sites, and fishing seminars/clinics.
|