First off - this is still in the concept phase and we need to see if it's workable. Just looking at the idea right now.
When our grandkids came to live with us, we became very involved in the foster children program on the north Oregon coast. I had this wild idea last year, but circumstances prevented it. This year is a little more peaceful.
So, here's what I'm thinking. In the middle of sturgeon season, would any of you (local or otherwise) be interested in skippering some foster kids and their foster dads or moms for a day of sturgeon fishing out of Warrenton? Maybe two adults and two kids as passengers on your boat?
Kay just got off the phone with the DHS lady, and she is going to look into legalities/liabilities. But she was excited about it. Very excited. When Kay mentioned May or June, she said "Did you know May is foster family appreciation month?"
I know foster kids get Oregon fishing licenses for free (and maybe the foster parents - I better look into that!). I feel certain I could con one or more of the local bait shops into providing the bait, and no doubt Sturgeon Paul can be shamed into cleaning the fish for nothing. The City of Warrenton would likely provide moorage for any folks who came down for it. And if extra juvenile life vests are needed, we could borrow them from the marinas and charter outfits in the area. Shoot, some smooth talker might even persuade a local outfit to make and donate sack lunches, and Costco into donating some disposable cameras and film processing. The only thing it would cost the boat owners is the time and fuel. For that, the rewards would be tremendous.
We would most likely need to have a vessel safety check just prior, even with current stickers, but then that is a good idea always. As dedicated as the local sheriff is to the county's children, they would certainly provide the manpower to do that dockside and fast. And no doubt, Willie (the head sheriff marine deputy) would love to zip around in his Zodiak making sure everyone is doing OK.
Does anyone besides me think this is a neat plan?
When our grandkids came to live with us, we became very involved in the foster children program on the north Oregon coast. I had this wild idea last year, but circumstances prevented it. This year is a little more peaceful.
So, here's what I'm thinking. In the middle of sturgeon season, would any of you (local or otherwise) be interested in skippering some foster kids and their foster dads or moms for a day of sturgeon fishing out of Warrenton? Maybe two adults and two kids as passengers on your boat?
Kay just got off the phone with the DHS lady, and she is going to look into legalities/liabilities. But she was excited about it. Very excited. When Kay mentioned May or June, she said "Did you know May is foster family appreciation month?"
I know foster kids get Oregon fishing licenses for free (and maybe the foster parents - I better look into that!). I feel certain I could con one or more of the local bait shops into providing the bait, and no doubt Sturgeon Paul can be shamed into cleaning the fish for nothing. The City of Warrenton would likely provide moorage for any folks who came down for it. And if extra juvenile life vests are needed, we could borrow them from the marinas and charter outfits in the area. Shoot, some smooth talker might even persuade a local outfit to make and donate sack lunches, and Costco into donating some disposable cameras and film processing. The only thing it would cost the boat owners is the time and fuel. For that, the rewards would be tremendous.
We would most likely need to have a vessel safety check just prior, even with current stickers, but then that is a good idea always. As dedicated as the local sheriff is to the county's children, they would certainly provide the manpower to do that dockside and fast. And no doubt, Willie (the head sheriff marine deputy) would love to zip around in his Zodiak making sure everyone is doing OK.
Does anyone besides me think this is a neat plan?