Local youth with the Santa Barbara Police Activities League (PAL) are heading outdoors and learning to fish. Over the last three months, fishing excursions have taken them to the Goleta Pier, Lake Cachuma, and on a sportfishing boat off the coast.
“The fishing events have been tremendously popular amongst our students, and offer them a new opportunity to get outside and explore all that Santa Barbara has to offer,” said Judie Lugo, executive director of PAL. “Our local police officers chaperone these events, which are wonderful opportunities for relationship-building with the youth.”
For the majority of the youth, this is their first time fishing. Participants range in age from 6 to 18 years old and are from 10 different local schools. PAL received funding from the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Vamos a Pescar Education Fund to offer the fishing experiences.
At each event, participants learn lessons about keeping the oceans clean, the cultural significance of fishing for the Chumash in Santa Barbara, and safe fishing practices. All of the youngsters received fishing licenses and rods that they can keep.
“I felt happy and proud about being able to catch a fish, especially because it was my first time fishing with friends,” one PAL student said. “The wind was crazy and it made fishing hard. I had so much fun and can’t wait to go fishing again.”
Santa Barbara PAL strives to build the bridge between polic, kids, and the community through educational, athletic, and leadership enrichment programs. PAL, at the Twelve35 Teen Center, provides teens with academic support and enrichment programs such as fitness classes and equipment, environmental education, and social-emotional and mental wellness referral support.
For more about PAL, visit www.sbpal.org.