Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
The 5th annual Buddies & Bobbers 'learn-to-fish' fishing derby is taking place on May 17, 2025 at Walton Pond, located at Winding Trails in Farmington, Connecticut.
This unique, intergenerational event is guaranteed to be a memory-filled, health-boosting, fun morning for everyone involved. Don't miss out!
Honor a special angler in your life by making a gift of $50 or more in their name.
Your gift will serve as a lasting tribute and will help connect older adult anglers with youth to teach them how to fish.
We'll display that person's name on the special Buddy Tribute wreath during the Buddies & Bobbers fishing derby.
And, we'll send a personalized tribute card to the person or family indicated, notifying them of your thoughtful donation, but not revealing the amount.
You will receive an acknowledgment for your donation.
(Tribute gifts made by May 1, 2025 will be displayed at the 2025 derby; tribute gifts made May 2, 2025-May 1, 2026 will be displayed at the 2026 derby.)
Please sign up as one of our fishing volunteers for this event!
Please send us a completed volunteer registration.
After receipt, we'll confirm your registration. No fishing license is required.
Note that this event is focused on introducing youth to the sport of fishing.
Youth who have never fished are welcome to attend.
Thank you for your understanding as we strive to reach the most children possible and introduce them to the sport.
For All Ages Adult Derby Volunteer Registration 2023 (pdf)
DownloadDuring our Buddies & Bobbers Fishing Derby, youth ages 6-12 with no fishing experience (who must be accompanied by a parent/guardian) will be partnered with experienced adult anglers. These men and women volunteers will introduce the youth to the sport of fishing and teach them the fundamental fishing skills they will need during the derby. The intergenerational partnered 'teams' will then fish and compete for prizes.
The morning will begin at 8:30 am with everyone gathering for a continental breakfast outside of Nature's Porch on Walton Pond at Winding Trails. During breakfast, the youth will be introduced to their older adult mentors and provided with their fishing equipment for the derby.** (Youth are welcome to bring their own fishing pole if they have one.)
As a group, they will learn the basics of fishing including how to 'set' up and cast a fishing rod, bait a hook, reel in a fish, and identify the types of fish they might catch during the derby. By 9:30 am, the partnered teams will have selected and set up their desired on-shore fishing location along Walton Pond. The derby will then begin.
For the next 2 hours, the adult anglers will teach their youth partners how to fish, and assist them as they hopefully catch their first fish, all while competing against the other teams in the derby. All fish caught will be measured, identified, and recorded. Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish, the smallest fish!, and most fish caught. We will also be awarding a prize to the person who wears the most creative fishing-themed hat!
At 11:30 am, the teams will reconvene under the pavilion for lunch and the awarding of prizes. All youth will go home with a 'special' prize! And each youth will leave the derby having:
**Worms will be provided and are the only permitted bait for the derby.
Please note that we are capping attendance for this derby at 20 youth and 20 adult angler mentors. Pre-registration is required for everyone.
Note that this event is focused on introducing youth to the sport of fishing. Youth who have never fished are welcome to attend. Thank you for your understanding as we strive to reach the most children possible and introduce them to the sport.
Parents of 2 youth participants
Youth spots are full; you are welcome to register for the waitlist.
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Note that this event is focused on introducing youth to the sport of fishing.
In order to reach the most children possible, we are limiting youth attendance to one time only. Thank you for your understanding.
Winding Trails, 50 Winding Trl, Farmington, Connecticut 06032, United States
I understand that my registration of my child for the Buddies & Bobbers Learn-to-Fish Fishing Derby means that I have read, understand, and agree to the following. I, on my behalf, on my child's behalf, and on my child's guardian's behalf for the morning, assume all risks associated with attending this event including, but not limited to injury whether arising in contract, negligence or otherwise, all such risks being known and appreciated by me. I, for myself, my child, and anyone entitled to act on my or my child's behalf, waive and release For All Ages from any and all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in this community event. I grant permission to For All Ages to use any photographs, videos, recordings, or any other record of this event for any legitimate purpose.
I understand that my child cannot participate in this event without a parent/guardian present at all times. I understand that the parent/guardian attending may be asked to help my child perform various fishing related activities including, but not limited to, putting worms on fishing hooks, removing fish from hooks in order to weigh them, and releasing the fish back into the water. I understand that the angler mentor's role is to teach my child how to fish and I agree that the parent/guardian present is responsible for standard parental tasks including accompanying my child to the bathroom and ensuring my child's safety during the event.
I understand that this is not a competitive derby and agree that I have honestly answered the question about my child's prior experience fishing. I agree that the parent/guardian attending will calmly watch from a distance unless asked by child's mentor to assist. I also agree that, in order to ensure a positive experience for all, child and guardian will abide by all rules of the derby (including that the only bait that can be used are worms) and that comments of a competitive or harassing nature and any other behavior deemed inappropriate by For All Ages leadership automatically disqualifies the child and any relatives from participating in this event in the future.
I understand that For All Ages has the right to decline my participation in this event at its discretion for any reason it deems appropriate, including but not limited to, ensuring a positive experience for, and the safety of, event attendees and the integrity of the program.
I understand and agree that if my child fails to attend without notifying For All Ages, (s)he is prohibited from attending in the future.
© 2024 | For All Ages, Inc., PO Box 61, Simsbury CT 06070 | A US 501(c)(3) public charity, Federal EIN 83-4624076.
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