Our Mission

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Florida Fishing Academy

The Florida Fishing Academy is a division of Teem REEL Estate Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2006. In its third year, the academy aims to create a new generation of ethical anglers who enjoy a healthy, constructive hobby, take seriously their role in environmental conservation and boast new tools to pursue a potential career in the marine industries. The centerpiece of our program is the nationally acclaimed Hooked On Fishing-Not On Drugs ® (HOFNOD) curriculum, a 20-year-old program created by the Future Fisherman Foundation to introduce fishing to youth in a responsible, ethical manner that promotes environmental conservation. In 2008, we had 131 students complete the HOFNOD course and 763 children attend either a half-day fish camp or fair. We have awarded 476 children with a free fishing rod and reel since 2006. In that time, we also have taken over 100 fishing trips and caught over 200 fish. We have successfully released alive 95% of all fish caught. We are available to teach our course in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

Program Design

Kids third grade and older learn not just the basics of fishing, like knot-tying, casting, fish biology and boat safety, but also how to repair their rods, nurture a healthy marine environment through catch-and-release, circle hooks and other ethical angling standards, and even how to filet and cook up their catches. Each class also has a strong dose of character-building, family-bonding, leadership opportunities and other life lessons. On-site fishing trips to the pier, lake, shore or by boat are an essential course component that reinforces classroom instruction. Every student is required to sign a pledge to remain drug-free, family participation on field trips is a must to foster stronger family relationships and, when funding is available, each child who meets attendance requirements gets a free rod and reel donated through Fish Florida.

The academy offers a two-year curriculum targeting school-aged children. In the first year, over 20 sessions taught weekly during one semester or over a 10-week summer camp, students learn the basics of fishing (tying knots, casting, the environmental benefits of catch and release, fish identification, marine biology, etc.) and life skills lessons (like problem-solving, critical analysis, team-building and anti-drug and violence mindsets). Regular fishing trips are built into each course, and as part of the buy-in requirement, each child must be accompanied on the trips by an adult relative. Parents are also engaged to help out throughout the year and are asked to practice lessons at home with their children, and each student must sign a pledge to remain drug-free. The second-year program, considered an advanced-level course and taught in weekly classes over the course of a semester or 10-week summer camp, takes budding anglers a step further, moving beyond the HOFNOD curriculum by teaching them the mechanics of building and painting custom rods, boat maintenance, commercial fishing (including applying for federal and state permits and networking with seafood wholesalers), junior angler tournaments and an introduction to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. At the end of the course, we will host an awards ceremony to recognize such accomplishments as biggest fish caught, most helpful classmate or best attendance record with fishing trips, equipment and other donated reward items.

For more information contact
Captain Richard Brochu, CEO
7067 Peninsula Court
Lake Worth, Florida 33467
561-740-7227