Anyone else want to get a kid set up with everything

[Old Goat]

if everyone pitches in it should be easy and make someone very happy on Christmas


Some kind of drawing

[Reinert]

Whatcha got in mind??

[stinkyfingers]

I like your thinking. Right now is an especially good time to acknowledge how good we really have it. Are you thinking some kind of GoFundMe deal? Raffle? If you're just talking just a raw hardware setup I could probably supply a small orphanage out the extra gear that's stuck to me like barnacles over the years. What kind of fishing do you do there? How old is the kid?

[Old Goat]

I'm thinking new gear or slightly used I have no idea who the kid is I'm thinking a members kid drawing all gear donated by IS members the whole set up,shanty,flasher,auger,rod,reel.scoop,picks etc.

[stinkyfingers]

That's an ambitious plan but something beyond what a handful of guys would be able to afford. The moderators of the Forum might be able to co-ordinate something with the site sponsors looking to spend some of their advertising budget and at the same time to write off some dead inventory in a splashy cause. Any moderators out there with some creative ideas?

[Bearseatfish]

I love this idea and would donate gear. A few questions thou What would be the age span would you go for 2-13 years of age ?  How would we enter our kids? 1 entry per family?

[Old Goat]

no 2 would be to young more like the age where your kids want your gear   8 or 10- 16 or when they can drag a sled.

[Evinrude58]

No matter what the age group I think I got at least 1 grandkid that would qualify as I have 10 ages 2-23. Though there are a couple small gaps in coverage. Lol

[ActiveTrapChecker]

I'm thinking new gear or slightly used I have no idea who the kid is I'm thinking a members kid drawing all gear donated by IS members the whole set up,shanty,flasher,auger,rod,reel.scoop,picks etc.

If your’re like me, You have plenty of gear on hand. Not sure my daughter needs anything when I take her on the hard water. Perhaps instead of a member’s kid, consider looking for a school that would be looking to start a club. I recall there was one here in upstate NY that was on IS last year

[Ice Scratcher]

Most all of us on here, with kids, have enough know how, and gear to equipt a small army of kiddos...

But I wonder about the single moms (who won't read this forum) who's child would  benefit most from this situation...

I'd almost rather see a get together, possibly even with an autistic child, or children, as a mentor/coaching program as a way to inspire, and possibly introduce them into this awesome outdoor world God gave us...

I know, I'm glad, I'm DAD, to both my autistic children... But no worries about us, somehow we're always looked over, and protected by the One that makes everything possible...

I do wonder and worry about the kids involved in separated marriages, with possible barriers (time, money, lack of dad's interest of the outdoor life) that will possibly lead them down the road of life, without ever feeling that "tug" (which is an answer from above) from below...

I don't think passing on equipment is the best option, passing on the reason for respect, and the reason we love this stuff might serve further...

Just my rambling thoughts...

<°)))>{

[Old Goat]

No matter what the age group I think I got at least 1 grandkid that would qualify as I have 10 ages 2-23. Though there are a couple small gaps in coverage. Lol

if any of those kids need a flasher to share send me your info

[WYIfish]

if any of those kids need a flasher to share send me your info

Don't the Boy Scouts have a merit badge for fishing? That might be an avenue to explore.

[stinkyfingers]

These are all great ideas. From my perspective, a basic hardware package would reach more kids in need than the full blown deal like we've all accumulated over time. You'll also need to judge want-to and stick-to-itiveness. When my boy was 13 he thought ice fishing was a hoot. By the time he was 15 all he wanted was a woman. I tried to explain that ice fishing was cheaper in the long run. Personally, the key is each of us individually mentoring a likely local boy or girl who shows an interest in what is actually sort of an oddball pastime.
Hardware is easy. Know-how and the willingness to share it are rare.

[Chute82]

Don't the Boy Scouts have a merit badge for fishing? That might be an avenue to explore.

They did when I was a kid but recently replaced with the iPad merit badge

[NEWLEE]

Great idea. I'm sure I could come up something to donate.

[Old Goat]

If your’re like me, You have plenty of gear on hand. Not sure my daughter needs anything when I take her on the hard water. Perhaps instead of a member’s kid, consider looking for a school that would be looking to start a club. I recall there was one here in upstate NY that was on IS last year

Found a HS here in WI starting a ice fishing club/team        will go this route

[bb400guy]

I'd almost rather see a get together, possibly even with an autistic child, or children, as a mentor/coaching program as a way to inspire...

...I'm DAD, to both my autistic children...

This is awesome, it reminds me of me and my son.  I too am a dad to a wonderful little 5 year old boy who also has autism.  He's non-verbal and our communication is virtually non-existent (compared to his peers), but I've always taken him everywhere and he's enjoyed it.  Over the past two summers I've taken him on boat rides and fishing trips and last year I bought a wood ice shack so that he could go somewhere warm - he LOVED it!  I set up the rods and then we do coloring books, watch movies etc etc and when I catch fish he loves seeing/touching them in the bucket.  And when the snowmobiles go screaming by he opens the door to watch them.  I can't wait to take him this year once the ice sets up in a few more weeks.   

It's nice to see another parent taking his kids (regardless of neurotype) outdoors, but especially when it requires that much more effort and dedication to help kids with different needs.    

   

[Ice Scratcher]

My boy has been non verbal, but has slowly starting talking around 8.. Now at 9 still not close, but way, way, way, further, than 7.....

Best of luck to all of ya!!

<°)))>{

[Firefightertom32]

They did when I was a kid but recently replaced with the iPad merit badge

#truestory