Imaginature kids and the Baby Brookies program at Jordan River NFH will continue to raise brook trout for local kid's fishing events

Coordinators of the Imaginature “Outdoor After School Program” met to evaluate the 2007-2008 pilot project this June.  Tim Smigielski, Lead Fisheries Biologist at Jordan River National Fish Hatchery (NFH), met with Pami Sprague, Mancelona Public Schools "Choose Success" Project Director and Trent Naumcheff, Mancelona Elementary School principal.

The team evaluated the participation, logistics, funding and the effectiveness of the program by looking at the number of children that were reached and what impacts were realized.  More than 360 students participated in the program; 20 students attended every activity and event. 

Transportation costs due to the gasoline prices are an issue for this year.  Therefore for budgetary and logistical reasons, offsite field trips were reformed.  We applied for two grants as a partnership for 2007-2008. In both cases, Imaginature was not selected.  We will certainly not give up. 

Sprague spoke of the positive impact on the families of  the 20 repeat students she has been monitoring. This year there will be one large monthly activity, event or field trip. During the rest of the month the activities will be held out of doors at the school or at the hatchery.  Plans for a schoolyard habitat project and outdoor classroom are in the works.