2006 Kid's Fishing Derby   



Record Turnout for
F.O.C.A.S. 6th Annual Kids Fishing Derby
Reported by Jack Watkins

 

Since the 60’s there has been a statement that 'if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem'. F.O.C.A.S. (Federation of Christian Anglers and Sportsman) takes this idea and feeling to heart. Children are accused of sitting in front of the TV too much, playing too many video games, not getting enough exercise, not participating in positive alternatives. Well unless we adults make time or offer positive alternatives then we certainly have nothing to complain about and certainly are as much a part of the problem. F.O.C.A.S. can not be accused of inactivity on their part. For the sixth straight year our organization has put on a kids fishing derby in the Belleville, IL area, and it was certainly an amazing event this year.

 


WHAT A GREAT TURN OUT

It was held at Bellevue Park in Belleville, IL on Saturday May 6th. You could not have asked for a more perfect day for the outing. Mostly sunny skies and cool temperatures made for a perfect setting. F.O.C.A.S. provided bait and tackle for any that might need it as well as volunteers to assist those who might need help. There was no charge for any of the activities across the day. In addition to the fishing F.O.C.A.S. set up a paint ball gun tent for the kids to get an opportunity to fire and a fixed target as well as an archery booth offering possibly some kids first chance to fire a bow and arrow. As well as these activities there were hot dogs, chips, snacks, and drinks for all who came up to the stands.



PAINT BALL

 

 


ARCHERY


The turn out was marvelous with a record group of registered kids in age groups which varied from toddlers to sixteen year olds. They had 201 children register and a number of others present who got too excited to go up and register. Across the course of the day the sounds of glee could be heard around the lake as kids of all ages landed their catch and brought them to the various judge’s booths. When they arrived at the booth their catch would be measured and the results recorded. These results would be tallied at the end of the day to see who had had the most successful catches for the day. In addition they also received a “Fishing Buck” with each catch which they would be able to redeem for prizes.

 


A PROUD FISHING PERSON


PROUD OF HER FISHING BUCK


At 1:30 PM the fishing came to and end and F.O.C.A.S. began to tally up the results. To keep the kids entertained during this time the Youth Group of a "A Glorious Fellowship Church" put on a musical drama based on the Wizard of Oz called “We Are Off to See the Savior”. The children sat spell bound while everything was totaled up.

 

 


CAST OF THE PLAY

As is the custom with F.O.C.A.S. everybody present won something. Besides the redeemable “Fishing Bucks” they held a drawing where all kinds of attendance prizes were handed out. Toys, fishing rods and reels, baseballs, and many other prizes were handed out during this time period. The prizes were capped off with awards for 1st Place and 2nd Place in each of the three age categories. Here are the winners of each age group.

 

1ST PLACE IN THE RED DIVISION

KAYLA MCKINLEY

2ND PLACE IN THE RED DIVISION

KRYSTEN BUNYUN



1ST PLACE IN THE BLUE DIVISION

JOHN HARBISON
(JOHN HAS WON 1ST PLACE EVERY YEAR
IN HIS AGE DIVISION SINCE THE
DERBY WAS FIRST HELD)



2ND PLACE IN THE BLUE DIVISION

MATTHEW BENNETT


1ST PLACE IN THE YELLOW DIVISION

DANYLL HARRIS
(DANYLL HAS WON HER DIVISION
THE LAST THREE YEARS IN A ROW)

 

 

2ND PLACE IN THE YELLOW DIVISION

CAMERON COOPER

 

F.O.C.A.S. wanted to give special thanks to those who helped to make this event such a success. Those sponsors included A Glorious Fellowship Church, the Youth Group of A Glorious Fellowship Church, Poppy’s Bait and Tackle of Belleville, IL, 1st Flight of Belleville, IL, Open Season Sporting Goods of Belleville, IL, Schnuck’s Grocery Stores, McDonald’s Restaurants, Kellogg’s Foods, Wal-Mart, and Leisure Time Pool and Spas of Swansea, IL.

F.O.C.A.S. next bass fishing tournament on Saturday May 13, 2006 at Mark Twain Lake and will be coming out of the Robert Allen Ramp. Our next tournament after that will be at Barkley Lake in Kentucky out of the Kuttawa Lyon County Boat Ramp on June 3rd.