This year we held the annual Kid's Fishing Derby and Elderly and Handicapped Fishing Derby in the first two weeks of June. Thanks to our volunteers, Friends group, and staff, the events ran smoothly.
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| Who better than hatchery manager David Hendrix to show kids how to catch a rainbow? |
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| Volunteer Jordan Shope, a YCC intern from summer 2010, removes a hook from a trout for a participant. |
Toward the end of June, we held a special fishing derby for children 5-18 that were impacted by the tornado in Joplin. This third derby was an event hosted by the Sugar Creek Gobblers National Wild Turkey Federation Chapter. The hatchery Friends group, hatchery staff, staff from George Washington Carver National Monument and the Missouri Department of Conservation, additional Fish and Wildlife Service staff, YCC interns and volunteers came out to contribute to the cause. The Joplin public school buses donated their time and fuel to transport children from Joplin to Neosho.
Donations were brought in from across the United States for the day. Ice was donated for the fish cleaning station. A Blue Bunny ice cream trailer full of donated treats served popsicles and ice cream bars. Fresh snow cones were also served throughout the day. Lunch and drinks were also provided. Items given to each participant included t-shirts, sleeping bags, camping chairs, and fishing poles. Although it was a very hot summer day, children still came out to catch a rainbow.
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| A couple participants of the Tornado Fishing Derby. |
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| These kids are proudly showing off the shirts that were donated for the big fishing event. The event was titled "Fishing for Rainbows". |
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| Do the fish really like to eat these?! |
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| Items given to each child that attended, including a brand new fishing pole. |
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| The air rifle shooting range being utilized by attendees. |
