To give special needs and disadvantaged children a day of fishing and boating, Castaic Lake Water Agency revived the C.A.S.T for Kids program.

Approximately 100 children and families were treated to a day of boating and fishing by the CLWA and about 15 sponsors on Saturday at Castaic Lake.

“If you watched these kids climbing aboard a boat for the first time, filled with anticipation and wonder, and then coming back with their first fish and a mile-wide grin, you couldn’t help but smile yourself,” said Board Vice President Gary Martin. “It made me proud that CLWA’s team could play our part to make this day possible.”

C.A.S.T. for Kids (Catch A Special Thrill) is open to special needs and disadvantaged children ages 6-17. The event pairs the children with experienced volunteer boater guides who take the children and their caretakers out on the lake for a memorable day of boating and fishing.

The C.A.S.T. Foundation is the largest fishing charity in the country, serving children with special needs and military personnel. Since its founding in 1991, the organization has matched more than 25,000 special needs children with volunteers for a day of fishing.

CLWA first became involved with the event in 2006, but it was placed on hiatus after 2013 due to the severe drought that dramatically reduced water levels at the lake. After a wet 2016-17 rainy season, the water is back and so are the fish, and the kids to catch them.

Several CLWA staffers and board members participated in the event, and reflected on the reactions of the children, which made it a unique and special day.

“It’s easy to take outdoor experiences for granted when you have the opportunity to enjoy them regularly,” said CLWA Board President Robert DiPrimio. “C.A.S.T. for Kids reminded us all that there are children for whom this one day of fishing was a new, fresh and exciting experience that will build a lifetime memory.”

For more information about C.A.S.T for Kids: click here

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