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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Exceptional Anglers event Gone Fishin’, Not Just Wishin’ at Oak Mountain State Park brought together students, educators and community members for days of inclusivity and outdoor fun from Wednesday, May 7 to Friday, May 9.

The event teaches basic fishing skills to students with disabilities from Alabaster and Pelham City Schools, as well as students from the Shelby and Jefferson County school systems.

“Community fishing events like this one serve many children and seniors throughout the state,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “This event is made possible thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the support of the sponsors. We are very grateful for their help in enriching the lives of these students and helping ensure that all Alabamians can participate in outdoor recreation.”

During the event, students were given the opportunity to fish, participate in art projects, learn about fish and wildlife, perform with local musicians, listen to storytellers and learn aspects of water safety, including the proper use of life jackets.

Kasie McKee, a biologist who works in the aquatic education division of Outdoor Alabama, described the overall mission of the event and how it is implemented.

“The mission of the event is to provide an opportunity for students with special needs to experience fishing and also just to experience the outdoors in general,” McKee said. “We offer them a variety of activities that they can enjoy with their classmates. It’s just a good time for them to connect with their peers as well.”

According to McKee, the event started in 1995, making it a longstanding priority of both the local school districts in Shelby County and the ADCNR.

“It’s a service that we’re all happy to provide the students,” McKee said. “The students rotate through a selection of activities… We have amazing sponsors and amazing volunteers, and they just offer their continued support year after year.”

McKee discussed that the event takes a fairly straightforward and safe approach to assisting students with disabilities.

“We’re taking something that may be potentially hard for people with disabilities to access and we’re utilizing the fishing pier at Oak Mountain State Park, which is completely ADA accessible,” McKee said. “We do our best to maintain a very safe environment.”

When reflecting on the most rewarding part of the event to her personally, McKee kept it short and sweet.

“I think the most rewarding part honestly is just the smiles on those kids’ faces when they catch a big ole catfish,” McKee said.

For more information on Oak Mountain State Park, visit Alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park.

The following entities served as sponsors of the event:

 

• ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and State Parks divisions
• Alabama Power Foundation
• Spire Energy
• Alabaster City Schools
• Bud’s Best Cookies
• City of Pelham
• City of Alabaster
• Coca-Cola
• Consolidated Pipe and Supply
• Hadaway’s Good Little Farm
• HPM
• The Humber family
• Jefferson County Adapted Physical Education
• Jefferson County Board of Education and Transportation
• Oak Mountain State Park
• Pelham City Schools
• Pelham police and fire departments
• Shelby County Commission
• Shelby County Schools
• Tyson Foods