The full-day event, designed to build group support and individual skills, takes place July 14 at the Pleasant Valley fly-fishing reserve in Markleeville, Calif., about one-and-a-half hours south of Reno. More than 20 professional fly-fishing guides volunteer their time at Reel Kids, Real Living to teach patients and families how to perfect their casting technique and improve their skills.
The event is free to participants. Reel Kids, Real Living is supported by High Sierra Fly Casters, a club based in Gardnerville dedicated to fly-fishing in northwestern Nevada and northeastern California’s fisheries. Club members Todd Wilcks, Jim Norton and Bob Macias work closely with NNCCF’s families for Reel Kids, Real Living to coordinate the event and teach the kids how to fish.
Wilcks, Norton and Macias also frequently provide retreats for men battling cancer in the region through a program called Reel Recovery. Reel Kids, Real Living came out of their work with these men in 2008 and will hold the fifth annual kids retreat on Saturday.
“It’s been rewarding to see the kids in their treatments and battling cancer,” Wilcks said. “When they’re out at these retreats in Pleasant Valley and have their siblings and they’re running around, a lot of the time you don’t know which kid has cancer; they’re having such a good time and they’re full of life.”
“The amazing gentlemen from High Sierra Fly Casters are fun-loving and go out of their way to make this experience wonderful for our families,” NNCCF Executive Director Debbie Strickland said.
Children ages 8 to 18 are invited to bring their siblings, who also must be between 8 and 18 years old. Parents are invited as well. Space is limited. First-time participants will have priority for attendance. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information or to register, contact Leslie Katich, director of programs and services, at NNCCF by calling 825-0888 or e-mail her at leslie@nvchildrenscancer.org.
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