Page 18 - 2019 MAY/JUNE Outdoor Oklahoma

DARRIN HILL/ODWC

The fun of Fishing in the Schools is evident on the faces of these fourth-graders sponsored in the program by the Paul George Foundation.
VIA FACEBOOK opportunities for fishing locally, and they are geared for
success because they are stocked with hybrid sunfish.
“If you’ve got a family that lives in the city, they may
not want to drive all the way to Texoma. But if they can
go catch fish a mile from their house, that’s a different
deal,” he said.
The foundation’s fishing initiative added 1,300
fourth-graders to OKFITS, a program that started in 2011
and has seen tremendous growth since.
OKFITS has grown from 6,100 students at the start to
more than 31,000 presently. More than 350 schools are
active in the program statewide. OKFITS provides teach-
er training, Department-developed curriculum and fish-
ing kits that include rods, reels and lures.
OKFITS is just one part of the Wildlife Department’s
suite of educational programs designed to acquaint peo-
ple with outdoor recreational opportunities available
to them in Oklahoma. Programs include the Oklahoma
National Archery in the Schools (OKNASP), Oklahoma
Scholastic Shooting Sports Program (OKSSSP), Explore
Bowfishing, Explore Bowhunting and Hunter Education.
Bolton said the star power of this pro athlete is
certainly helping to recruit the next generation of
Oklahoma anglers.
“His (OKFITS) kids are very interested in Paul George,
and he has a great rapport with young people. He’s a
great ambassador for us, and it’s a good partnership.
Wildlife Department Director J.D. Strong and NBA star Paul George
stand for a photo at a golf game fundraiser to help install a new kids' “If Paul George will sign another three-year contract,
fishing dock at South Lakes Park. we’ll do one of these docks every year!”
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