Big Fish

By Fish and Explore
Two one-week sessions
June 9-13 Full- Waitlist Available
July 28-August 1 Full- Waitlist Available
8:30 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Rising 6th through rising 9th graders
$640

What to bring: Sneakers or river shoes (no Crocs or flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet and dirty, snacks, lunch with drink, hat, water bottle, towel, change of clothes, hand sanitizer, sunscreen and bug spray (labeled with name). A detailed list of what to bring will be emailed prior to each week. Fish and Explore Waiver is required for all campers to attend.

Fishing is about enjoying the outdoors, having fun and catching fish! We will start out the week by learning the basics about fishing gear and tackle. As the week progresses, we will learn about intensive fishing techniques, water safety, nature awareness, and how to understand different types of water to increase awareness of how to play safely in and around all bodies of water. An introduction to river navigation and moving water safety helps prepare campers to fish independently. Each day, campers will explore new fishing environments such as ponds, lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, creeks, and Chesapeake Bay. Our highly trained fishing instructors will provide an extensive amount of individualized attention to each camper as they learn about casting, rigging, knot tying, how to select tackle and lures and identifying fish. More experienced campers will learn to target specific species of fish, read the water to locate fish and identify fish species they catch. Campers wear life jackets when in the water or on a boat. Ultimately, campers will use all the above training to locate and catch fish! We practice Wildlife CPR (Catch, Photograph, and Release). 

Rain/Inclement Weather Policy: Campers will participate in outdoor activities even while it’s raining, unless the weather is deemed unsafe by Fish and Explore. In case of lightning or thunder, we will seek shelter either indoors or in our vehicle. The campers will remain sheltered for the duration of the inclement weather and for fifteen minutes after the last visual lightning or audible thunder.

    

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Fish and Explore just completed its 10th summer as a premier summer camp and fishing and nature guide service. Our mission is to advance appreciation, stewardship, exploration and investigation of nature. We are dedicated to developing programs that are structured around elements that naturally excite children – animals, water, and a little dirt! We practice Wildlife CPR (Catch, Photograph, and Release) with all our outdoor encounters. Our programs are designed to excite children about nature while teaching them self-confidence, respect for others, and how to sustain the great outdoors for their future appreciation. Visit fishandexplore.com for more information. 

 

Meet our Staff:

Matt Helfinstein

Matt is the camp director of Fish and Explore. He has been interested in nature and animals his entire life, especially insects, spiders and snakes. He grew up in Austin, Texas and moved to Virginia to attend George Mason University. While there he earned B.S. in biology and had the opportunity to collect data on streams and lakes all over Northern Virginia. When Matt is not teaching and guiding at FAE, he is teaching Fairfax County students about aquatic bugs and the ways humans affect the environment. He loves to spend his free time outdoors hiking, swimming and exploring.

John Lipetz

John is the founder of Fish and Explore. He has been an ambassador for the great outdoors his entire life and playing in the outdoors has always been a passion for him. Fish and Explore has been in the making for years, as a gleam in his eye as a child and then a reality as he introduced his son and daughter to what he enjoys most – fishing and exploring. His life has been dedicated to teaching others how to safely appreciate animals, nature, and the environment.

Billy Wilken

William “Billy” Wilken is the kayak and paddle sports leader at Fish and Explore. He has over 30 years of experience as a trip leader, environmental educator, soccer coach and mentor. He is currently certified as a Wilderness First Responder and has a Red Cross Bundle 5 Waterfront certification. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia, exploring many of the tributaries feeding the Potomac River. He spent 10 years as a Whitewater Kayak instructor in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Billy is passionate about teaching people how to be outdoors safely.