Youth Programs

The Ebony Anglers gear up for a second day of their first annual youth camp!

Hard to top our first day but our second Camp day was an even more exciting day!

Not only did our campers get to put the fishing skills they had learned from our first event into action, but they also got to learn parts of the boat and even take shots at DRIVING the boat on Falls Lake, in Durham NC.

This was made possible by the amazing folks at Motorboatin’ and BBB Boat Rentals. These wonderful event sponsors really came through, teaching our campers about how their business runs, about the different parts of the boat and finishing it off with proper boat safety. The kids were pumped for an awesome time out on the water!

After breakfast and roll call and once the boat safety presentation had been performed it was time to get fitted for life jackets and prepare to board the many pontoons made possible by our generous sponsors.

The kids were excited to wade out into the lake to get to the boats and once they got settled on board, we were off on our boating adventure. Our sponsors continued to teach the kids all about boat operation and how to navigate on a lake. We learned about the differences in buoys, no-wake zones, and saw lots of amazing wildlife including a bald eagle!

After the on-boat presentation, the kids got to take turns steering and driving the boat and honking the boat horn (which was probably their favorite part!) Music and fun ensued on each boat as we drove up and down Falls Lake.

As the campers headed back to the shelter and sand to chat and laugh about their new boating experiences over delicious lunches again provided by Jersey Mikes of Creedmoor Rd, our amazing staff of volunteers and Ebony Anglers spouses, prepared our campers fishing poles, kits, and bait for some shore fishing fun!

After we said goodbye to the wonderful staff of BBB Boating and Motorboatin, (and taking some fun photos!) we split up into our groups to find good spots for shore fishing.

The kids’ confidence and what they learned was really showing on this day, as some kids that may have been squeamish about touching worms or baitfish on day one, seized on the opportunity to bait their own hooks and take to the shore with perfect casts!

Three fish were caught and gently released, which was three times the fish caught on the first camp day! Way to go Young Anglers!

After all our bait was gone, we gathered back under the shelter for an end of camp celebration, more photos, and tired camper pickup. The campers high-fived, said their goodbyes asking, “When can we go fishing again?!”

Special Thanks to Our Awesome Sponsors

Columbia PFG

Bass Pro Shops

BBB Boat Rentals

Motorboatin'

Michael D. Garrett Foundation LLC

Jersey Mike's | Raleigh Store #3008

Osborne Chiropractic Clinic

The Ebony Anglers Inaugural Fishing Youth Camp was held Sunday, September 22, 2021, at Falls Lake in Durham, NC. It was a day both the anglers and campers will never forget.

This was the first day of a two-part camp and heavily focused on an introduction to fishing. The day began with a warm welcome to our shelter. Our campers arrived to find the lakeside shelter converted to “Ebony Angler Landing”. The children were met with balloons, breakfast, and the eager, smiling faces of our volunteers and anglers. Our opening ceremonies began with a greeting from Angler Lesleigh Mausi. She introduced the other anglers and set the tone for what would be a day full of fishing and fun!

Next were our stations. As campers rotated to different stations they learned the fundamentals of fishing. We covered the basic knowledge of rod and reel, the importance of a good fishing knot, that there are many different types of bait. The campers laughed as Angler Glenda taught that “Lures” attract and demonstrated that “Jigs” dance. And just when they thought they knew it all...”not so fast, let’s learn how to cast.”

Once each small group had rotated to each station we broke for lunch. The kids thoroughly enjoyed their lunch boxes filled to the brim, kindly donated by one of our sponsors Jersey Mike’s of Creedmoor Rd. With full bellies, we headed over to the designated fishing areas to spend the rest of our afternoon doing what we love most.

There were gasps and laughs and shouts of “I got something” ringing through the air. It wasn’t long before our camper caught his very first fish, a beautiful Bluegill. The kids gathered around in awe at the first catch of the day. With some assistance, the camper gently unhooked his catch and released it back into the lake. The afternoon was filled with snagged lines and stolen bait and a passing rain shower. That day, many of the kids experienced their very own version of the anecdote, “the one that got away”.

As the day concluded, we gathered under the balloon archway at Ebony Angler Landing to take one last photo to mark the day. The campers were exhausted in the very best way, covered in muck and proud of it. As parents arrived to pick up their children, campers waived and said their goodbyes, exclaiming they couldn’t wait until next time. Neither can we!