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The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s premiere fishing club for youth is no longer a kid itself. March marked the 25th anniversary for PLAY – the Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth.
In 1980, the then-Pennsylvania Fish Commission was exploring ideas to get children excited about fishing and educating youth on aquatic resources. The agency often received letters from educators, parents and even children themselves looking for materials and ideas aimed at youth.
While lots of magazines and books existed on subjects like fishing, boating, and aquatics, most were aimed at adults. Even materials designed for kids were somewhat generic. So PLAY was born to fill the void.
Those who paid a small fee received a membership card and a subscription to a quarterly newsletter designed for 8- to 12-year-olds focusing on aquatic life and recreational opportunities in Pennsylvania.
The club concept was immediately well received and soon PLAY boasted over 10,000 members. A mentoring aspect also grew in conjunction with PLAY. Waterways Conservation Officers and trained volunteers conducted PLAY fishing skills classes and fishing derbies. Sportsmen’s clubs and cooperative nurseries stock fish in small ponds and invite youngsters out for a day. Attendees would earn PLAY memberships and received other publications.
One of the most important developments for PLAY came in 1985 with legislation that allowed federal funding to be used by state agencies for aquatic education. One of the best benefits of the new funding was the Commission was able to expand upon PLAY to send the newsletter to Pennsylvania schools for use by teachers. With educators requesting PLAY for their classrooms, membership grew to reach 40,000 to 60,000 youth annually.
PLAY also received boosts for other areas as well. Star catcher Ed Ott of the Pittsburgh Pirates – a Muncy native – served as honorary spokesperson/chairman for the program. Outdoor writers in particular were instrumental in promoting the program. For many years, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association sponsored free memberships for children who responded to articles on the program.
In 2001, another evolution in PLAY opened the program for even more interested participants. In honor of the late Commissioner Enoch “Inky” Moore and his tireless work on youth programs, the Commission dropped the membership fee for PLAY.
Today, PLAY membership is free for all youngsters. The quarterly newsletters are also included as an “extra” for subscribers to the Fish and Boat Commission’s Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Magazine.
Parents interested in signing a child age 8-12 up for an annual PLAY membership may print out a subscription request from the PLAY webpage.
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