Classes
Angling For A Healthy Future
Developed using Florida Sunshine State Standards
FFA’s signature curriculum targets third- through 11th-graders and is customized to appeal to the different age groups. In the 10-session elementary school program, taught in the public school aftercare system, Angling for a Healthy Future students learn not just the basics of fishing — tying a hook, casting, boating safety, the environmental benefits of catch-and-release, fish identification, marine biology — but also how to repair their rods, how to clean and cook their catches, and with the help of a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist, how to dissect a fish. Each class also has a strong dose of character-building, family-bonding, leadership opportunities and other life lessons.
Each student who misses no more than two classes gets a free rod and reel, and we offer a rod loaner program, making fishing ventures even more accessible and affordable. The program also emphasizes an anti-drug and anti-violence message — through the curriculum and also by offering healthy, positive role models — and requires students to sign a drug-free pledge to participate.
At the high school level, provided in Title I schools thanks to United Way funding, the FFA’s two-year curriculum uses ethical angling to offer at-risk youth an alternative to gangs and drugs and to prepare them for life after high school. In the first year, students take a more advanced version of the 20-session Angling for a Healthy Future (Units 1 and 2), with basic fishing lessons supplemented by more sophisticated, age-appropriate life skills taught under the national, evidence-based LifeSkills Training Program model.
The second-year, advanced program, Charting a Course in the Marine Industries, is an in-depth curriculum broken up into two parts, Units 3 and 4. Throughout 20 sessions, Unit 3 takes budding anglers a step further, building on their basic skills and growing passion for fishing with an intensive career-development curriculum specially designed by FFA. These advanced students learn the mechanics of building and painting custom rods, boat maintenance, commercial chartering, commercial fishing (including applying for federal and state permits and establishing relationships with seafood wholesalers), and fishing in junior angler tournaments. After completing Unit 3, these advanced second-year students graduate to Unit 4, getting a heavier dose of life skills training with the national, evidence-based Lifeskills Training Transitions Program. This 11-session course helps adolescents navigate the transition from high school into the workforce, armed with strategies for decision-making and managing stress and anger. To hone these new skills, and in learning to give back to the community, our Unit 4 students return to our elementary schools as mentors and teach our Angling for a Healthy Future students, aiding the continuing fidelity of our program.
Boating Classes
Held at the Riviera Beach Marina at 200 E. 13th Street, students attending will learn these valuable lessons:
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•Introduction to different types of fishing crafts, such as kayaks, and how to operate and navigate them
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•Boating safety – camp staff gives presentation of boating and water safety
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•Review boating safety workbook and prepare for the state exam
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•Practice boating – oaring and trolling motor operation
Fishing Classes
Held at the Riviera Beach Marina at 200 E. 13th Street, students will learn these valuable lessons:
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•Fishing safety
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•Fish Facts - fish identification, distinguishing characteristics, habitats, feeding preferences and bag limits
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•Tackle - rod & reel assembly, types of tackle, types of knots, how to select tackle for specific species of fish and maintenance of tackle
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•Casting - how to cast several types of reels
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•Bait - types of live bait, how to catch bait (cast net, dip net), artificial bait
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•Fishing - how to fish (species specific), catch and release techniques, fish stringers and cooler use and hands-on fishing
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•Fish Biology – description of fisheries management techniques and local fisheries projects
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•Scientific procedures - fish dissection and otolith removal for aging
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•Fish cleaning - scaling, skinning and filleting
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•Fishing tournament - boat and shore categories and categories for different species of fish
Kayak Classes
Held at the Riviera Beach Marina at 200 E. 13th Street, students will learn these valuable lessons:
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•Kayak safety
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•Paddling techniques
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•Capsize recovery
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•Guided tour to peanut Island
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•Explore our waterways
Snorkeling Classes
Held at the Riviera Beach Marina at 200 E. 13th Street, students will learn these valuable lessons:
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•Snorkeling Safety
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•Aquatic food chain - use dip nets for collection of organisms for magnifier box and stereoscope observation, aquatic plant identification, wading birds and reptiles
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•Hands-on activities on Peanut Island make it fun for students to learn about the natural environment
Deep Sea Fishing and Exploration
Held daily aboard the academy's custom-built, 38-foot Fastwater cabin cruiser, which is docked at the Riviera Beach Marina at 200 E. 13th Street, Deep Sea Fishing and Exploration Camp is our most popular camp offering. Because space is limited, spots fill up fast.
After-School Life Skills and Fishing Education Classes
Click here for Riviera Beach schedule.pdf
Boating/Water Education Classes
Riviera Beach Community Boating Program
Saturdays 1:15 to 4:30 p.m.
Free to Riviera Beach residents, all others pay competitive prices
Students must reserve a spot in advance!
Click here for Riviera Beach schedule.pdf