There are lots of fishing opportunities for Scouts of all ages in the Scouting program. To help make sure these experiences are educational, fun, and rewarding, it is critical to have well-trained leaders. The New Birth of Freedom Council offers three fishing and angling training to help units “be prepared” for an awesome fishing program.
Family Fishing Day
Cub Scout programs feature basic fishing skills instruction, emphasizing safety. Instructional stations focus on “how-to” use fishing equipment, “how-to” rig tackle, baits, and lures; and an introduction to conservation and stewardship, with a basic understanding of fishing regulations and why they are important.
Scouts BSA can work on requirements for their Fishing, Fly Fishing, and Fish and Wildlife Management Merit Badges. Counselors will be available throughout the afternoon to provide instruction and guidance on the requirements and to sign off “blue cards.”
- Scouts with basic fishing and conservation training may register as instructors.
- Scouts must attend the event with a parent or guardian, or with two registered leaders.
- Loaner bait and tackle kits are available for adult leaders and instructors.
Date: April 12, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, All Day Event
Cost: $15 per Youth Participant, $5 per Adults, Counselors and Fishing Instructors attend FREE
Location: Hidden Valley Scout Reservation (268 Hidden Valley Road, Loysville, PA 17047)
Units with a cabin or campsite reservation for the weekend (April 11 – 13, 2025) get half off on Family Fishing Registration Fees!
Contact us at camping@newbirthoffreedom.org or (717) 620-4525 for assistance.
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To become an instructor, check out our fishing and angling trainings below!
BSA Angling Educator for Scouters Course
The BSA Angling Educator course was initially designed to provide fishing experts from outside the Scouting community with an understanding of the policies and procedures needed to share their knowledge and skills in support of BSA Fishing programs.
The BSA Angling Educator for Scouters course has now evolved, from a course for fishing experts, into a program to provide Scout Leaders, who have never fished, with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take Cub Scouts, and young Scouts BSA, to a fishing pond and help them to be successful.
Youth leaders can use this course to develop their skills to teach “Fishing Basics” to younger scouts.
- Teach fishing knowledge and skills to youth and adults.
- Assist with Cub Scout and Scouts BSA fishing programs.
- Serve as a Scouts BSA Merit Badge Counselor
- Use fishing skills at recruitment events with Backyard Bass.
- Train Camp Staff for fishing programs that work!
- Promote fishing at the Unit, District, and Council levels.
- Join (or help form) a Council Fishing Committee.
- Work to improve fishing facilities, equipment, and materials.
- Help build family fishing programs that work.
Date: Sept 7, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Cost: $20 per person
Location: Hidden Valley Scout Reservation (268 Hidden Valley Road, Loysville, PA 17047)
A 50% staff discount ($10 fee) is available for those who volunteer to help teach fishing skills for the Family Fishing Day on April 13, 2024.
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BSA Certified Angling Instructor Course
Scouts become scouts because they crave outdoor adventure; Fishing helps you “Deliver the Promise of Scouting.” The Certified Angling Instructor (CAI) course gives you hands-on experience with various fishing tackle, tying fishing knots, casting, rigging, fly-tying… finding fish, hooking them, fighting them, landing, and releasing them… fishing etiquette, ethics and more… and how to teach these skills.
The course content is tailored to your needs; we start with what you know and advance to a nationally recognized set of skills needed to teach fishing to our youth. Course topics will stay close to the established BSA national agenda; this course requires a minimum of 18 hours of instruction designed to increase your knowledge and provide you with new experiences.
- Teach fishing knowledge and skills to youth and adults.
- Promote fishing at the Unit, District, Council, and National levels.
- Plan and conduct fishing programs for Scouts, their parents, and leaders.
- Use fishing to support your council’s Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation programs.
- Work to improve fishing facilities, equipment, and materials at your council’s camps.
- Help district and council camps provide fishing programs that work.
- Commit to making fishing a priority within your council.
- Join (or help form) a Council Fishing Committee.
- “Deliver the Promise of Scouting.”
Date: Sept – 7, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (both days)
Cost: $60 per person, $20 per staff member
Location: Hidden Valley Scout Reservation (268 Hidden Valley Road, Loysville, PA 17047)
A $20 discount ($40 fee) is available for those who volunteer to help teach fishing skills for the Family Fishing Day on September 14, 2024.
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Additional Resources
- 2024 Spring Family Fishing Day Map
- 2024 Spring Family Fishing Day Flyer
- 2024 BSA Angling Educator Flyer (April)
- 2024 BSA Certified Angling Instructor (April)
Related Links