Click "More" (below) for photo links for C.A.S.T. for Kids and bass fishing in México
My Passion, Your Opportunity
Safe Outdoor Adventures that Benefit Kids with Special Needs
C.A.S.T. for Kids (CFK) is a national award-winning charity. It was established in 1991 to benefit children with special needs (e.g. physical, developmental, or economic). It now holds more than 100 events each year, throughout America. One of them is C.A.S.T. for Kids at Lake Pleasant AZ (CFKLP).
Children must be at least six (6) years old to participate, but there is no upper age limit. So far, our oldest "child" at CFKLP was 75. We have slots for 70 kids, plus 20 on a WAIT LIST in case a vacancy occurs. Putting the kids on the water will require 60 boat captains, 60+ shore volunteers, and 40+ sponsors.
Seventy kids are a handful, which is why ours is by far the biggest CFK event in the Country! We think it's also the best!
CFK was Created by Two Anglers
Formed by two anglers in Washington State, CFK became a 501(c)(3) charity in 1994. It enriches families' lives through non-competitive fishing events. Each year, CFK volunteers host more than 100 events across the United States. In events at lakes, e.g. our annual CFKLP, experienced boaters take the kids and their adult companions out for a few hours of fishing and boating. Each child receives (and gets to keep) a rod and /reel combo, a tackle box full of tackle, a box of live worms, and an event hat and t-shirt. After a tasty lunch, the kids and their boat captains receive plaques with their photos on them. They can also choose to tell the audience how they think their trip went. Sometimes the audience wonders whether the child and their captain were on the same boat. Parents know that everything appears different through a child's eyes.
If You like Low-Cost Fun, You'll Love No-Cost Fun
Participating families pay nothing to participate in CFK events. We cover the gate fee for Pleasant Harbor, provide all the tackle and bait the kids need, provide bottled water and various sports drinks, chips and cookies for snacks, a delicious barbeque lunch for everyone, and give each participating child 10 years old or older a 1-yr Arizona fishing license.
How do we stay in business? National, regional, and local sponsors cover event costs. Boat Captains provide their boats and cover all costs for transporting and using them. Shore Volunteers plan and conduct the events. Coordinators are also responsible for fundraising for each year's event.
The Next Lake Pleasant Event is on April 4, 2026
The 2026 CFKLP event will be our 25th annual day of fun at Lake Pleasant. It takes place on April 4, at Pleasant Harbor Marina & RV Resort (near the South Ramp). Pleasant Harbor is a great facility with easy access and plenty of parking. We event rent Porta-Potties for the center of activity to ensure that attendees have no problem finding one when the need arises.
Online registration will open January 15 and close February 28. Warning: the 70 slots for kids will fill in 2-3 weeks. It's first come, first served, so go online on January 15!! Registration closes early, so we can order equipment and supplies and get everything ready for the event. Event t-shirts are sized for each child and volunteer, so they must be special-ordered.
More information will be forthcoming in emails to past participants and other interested individuals. To be sure YOU are on our mailing list, please send your contact information (name, phone number, USPS address, and email address) to:
Note: in the Header (above), click "More" for links to annual event pages and photos (i.e. 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022).