** A few last-minute openings are available for participants (ages 10-13) at our HERYN Program Days June 20-25, 2022. They will be filled on a first-come basis. Register your child by calling Riverkeeper John Zaktansky at 570-768-6300 or midsusriver@gmail.com
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HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) program days connect young people (ages 10-13) with kayaking/fishing skills instruction in kayaking and fishing, teaching the fundamentals while building confidence and sparking a vested interest in our outdoor resources with the next generation of stewards.
Kayaking instruction begins in a swimming pool where students learn how to properly fit a life jacket, experience what it is like to manuever in water with a life jacket, how to properly use a paddle, how to safely board a kayak and how to handle a potential kayak flip. Instruction then continues at the lake with paddling and maneuvering skills instruction and eventually competitions in which students have to use the skills they've learned earlier in the day. Fishing instruction starts with an equipment overview, introduction and practice with the Palomar knot, rigging tips, casting instruction, practice and competition (distance and accuracy), learning how to bait a hook, land a fish, handle a fish and safely release it back to a waterway. There is also a session on how to clean and cook panfish. Each program day ends with an Enviroscape presentation and group discussion about watersheds, pollution and ways to better protect our aquatic resources. Afterward, we give out awards, some cool items and graduating certificates. |
Interested in sponsoring this program? Email Riverkeeper John Zaktansky at midsusriver@gmail.com
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Our next set of program days are scheduled for June 20-25, 2022, at the Central PA Wesleyan Campground near New Columbia. Each day, 12 new participants will receive instruction.
Looking back to our 2021 HERYN program days:
Our first set of program days ran June 21-25, 2021, as a total of 73 young people participated across the six days at the Central PA Wesleyan Campground near New Columbia, PA. Check out this post that shares more than 500 pictures, numerous videos and media coverage of our initial HERYN days. Also, check out coverage of the initial program days via WNEP's Pennsylvania Outdoor Life show.
Read Riverkeeper John Zaktansky's overview column reflecting on the success of the HERYN program.
Read Riverkeeper John Zaktansky's overview column reflecting on the success of the HERYN program.
The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association was chosen as one of 14 programs within 10 Pennsylvania counties to receive a combined $160,000 in grant money from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's 2020 R3 Grant Program, designed to recruit, retain or reactivate anglers.
The association used these funds to help jumpstart the HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) Program (pronounced "heron"), designed to connect young people with outdoor experiences through hands-on fishing and kayaking instruction in a fun yet safe environment.
"Our goal is to develop a vested interest in our river-based resources for the next generation of environmental stewards," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association Executive Director John Zaktansky. "I remember the sense of independence I felt when I first started catching fish on my own, and the therapeutic aspect of conquering the fears of first learning to kayak. We want to provide those experiences for other young people who may not have the opportunity to otherwise."
The association used these funds to help jumpstart the HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) Program (pronounced "heron"), designed to connect young people with outdoor experiences through hands-on fishing and kayaking instruction in a fun yet safe environment.
"Our goal is to develop a vested interest in our river-based resources for the next generation of environmental stewards," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association Executive Director John Zaktansky. "I remember the sense of independence I felt when I first started catching fish on my own, and the therapeutic aspect of conquering the fears of first learning to kayak. We want to provide those experiences for other young people who may not have the opportunity to otherwise."
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Our next slate of program days will be held June 20-25, 2022, at the Central PA Wesleyan Campground near New Columbia, each day working with 12 different young people, ages 10 to 13.
The 2022 program's primary sponsor is the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, with additional assistance from equipment purchased via a 2021 grant from the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission along with the NuCanoe kayak company and other charitable businesses, such as Hall's Marine in Muncy, Bass Pro Shop in Harrisburg, M&T Bank's charitable giving, Blue Heron Sports in Milton, Fishyaker.com out of Bloomsburg, Five Mountains Outfitters in Shickshinny, Clark's Wiggly Worm near Walker Lake in Snyder County, Coles Hardware and via individuals. |
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We are currently looking for lunch sponsors for the 2022 HERYN program days. If you are a local restaurant or caterer and would like to be involved, please contact Riverkeeper John Zaktansky at midsusriver@gmail.com or 570-768-6300.
Our instructors for the HERYN program days bring decades of experience in both kayaking and fishing throughout the region. In an effort to ensure safety for all our participants, childline clearances are required for each of our instructors.
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John Zaktansky: The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper gained a passion for our outdoor resources through Scouting and thanks to parents who loved to fish, hunt and camp. After earning the rank of Eagle Scout, Zaktansky helped organize and run Junior Leadership Training programs for Scouts and later worked as a counselor at a group home for troubled adolescents. He incorporated therapeutic fishing, hiking, camping and horseback opportunities into the program. Beyond his role as Riverkeeper, Zaktansky currently is the Youth Ministry Director at Port Ann Wesleyan Church and loves camping with his family. You can email him directly here. Check out a radio interview with Zaktansky here.
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John "Toast" Oast is the founder of the Pennsylvania Kayak Fishing Association (PKFA.org) and the Williamsburg Kayak Fishing Association (WKFA.org) in Virginia. He is the publisher of Susquehanna Fishing Magazine, LLC and its online platform, SusquehannaFishing.com. His popular Fishyaker Youtube video series has received more than 5,500,000 views. “Toast” is a member of the NuCanoe Pro Staff and an Okuma Fishing Tackle Influencer. When not on or around the water, Oast is a career law enforcement officer, has worked as a youth crime and gang investigator and has served as a Sunday school teacher, Scoutmaster and American Red Cross instructor. Learn more about him via the following interview on the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast:
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Casey Magargle grew up in central Pennsylvania fishing with his family in streams, lakes and the Susquehanna River. Casey attended Temple University majoring in education. He joined a bass club and was very successful over the next decade competing in events all over the northeastern United States winning titles all over. Casey started a line of bass fishing baits called Sneaky Hollow Bait Company in 2009. In recent years, Casey has helped middle and high school students gain a respect and passion for the outdoors while competing in high school fishing leagues. His teams have been successful winning state and national bass fishing championships. Learn more about him via the following interview on the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast:
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Graduating classes, June 21-26, 2021
DONATE NOW TO THE HERYN PROGRAM ...
Do you want to donate toward some of the equipment or other resources necessary to make sure the HERYN Program is successful and sustainable? Use the following form: