I'm after a little bit of advice. I work in a special needs school for children with moderate learning difficulties. The children have a range of additional needs from autism to Down syndrome. I have been given a decent budget to purchase some fishing kit. I'm buying a few whips and a few float rods and reels, the fishing is only going to be an hour or two at a time but it will give the kids a chance to enjoy the outdoors and catch a few bits.

The kids I'll take will be between 12-14 and I'll only take the ones who can cope with the change of routine and won't cause me too much grief😂 I understand that they will need a licence but I think this is free? Does anyone know if I can get a “group” licence so I don't need to get one for every child each time I take them?

I will have to find suitable venues as the kids will only be going for a few hours at a time so don't want to be paying a fortune each time we visit? I'm based in Chelmsford Essex if anyone has any ideas?

Any other advice welcome from teachers or guys that have done this type of thing before would be most appreciated!

Thank you,

Rich

In reply to Post #1
You should give Kevin Nash a ring, I know he was all over this kind of thing a while back and would know the ins and outs, you never know he may even help you out

In reply to Post #1
Keep em busy with some easy catching.
Set them some goals; 1st one to catch a fish, biggest, smallest, fattest, thinnest etc.....get the ideas off them first, plenty of photographs and snacks. Enjoy.

In reply to Post #2
I thought you was on about his staff at first 😀

As already stated an easy catch match lake will keep them amused and focused. Keep set-ups simple as in self cocking floats, etc.... not to many at a time and keep numbers low to keep the interest In going up.

Good luck and hat off to you for doing this 👍🏻

Make sure you have at least one adult per child, taking youngsters fishing is like herding cats.

Don't catapult bait or you will lose your catapult and all of your bat will be spread all over the lake - except in the swim.

Make it a short session of a couple of hours. This will fly by and the ones that cope best can go again, maybe for longer.

Be careful letting them return their fish - my grandson adopted the overarm method until corrected.

Take a first aid kit - hooks will find fingers.

Enjoy your evening collapsed and exhausted in your chair.

It's hard work but the pictures you take will be great and it will all be worth while.

In reply to Post #5
I've taken kids on school fishing trips many times. Advice I'd give is:
As many responsible adults as possible
Barbless hooks
Hire equipment that's been set up for you
Shallow water
Loads of fish
Simple tactics
Don't fish yourself
Half day
Commercial water with lots of facilities such as toilets

The most important thing is to make sure students will be safe and you have all the necessary insurance, emergency contacts and paperwork such as risk assessments needed.

In reply to Post #6
Some good advice, thank you. I have my own kids that I've taken before so wouldn't dream of fishing myself as I know I'll be up and down sorting the birds nests and numerous other issues.

I'm just trying to find some decent venues in Essex where they can bag a few, as we will only be fishing two hours at a time I don't want to be paying for three day tickets?
I have already spoken to a member on here that I know and he has been a star allowing me to take the kids to his own lake free of charge!! I'm just after a few other options