Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs planned at Phil Gainer Center
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ELKINS -- One of the most anticipated annual events for area youth is just around the corner as the 2023 Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs is scheduled for Saturday, May 13 at the Phil Gainer Community Center.
This year's HOFNOD will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature many of the activities young outdoor enthusiasts have grown to love. Some of the activities on the list include a climbing wall, a gemstone mine, a fishing pond, a snake exhibit and a birds of prey demonstration from the West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center.
"We have a lot of really cool things going on this year, including some things we've had in the past that kids really enjoy," HOFNOD President Owen Peet told The Inter-Mountain. "One thing we are bringing back this year is archery tag, which is kind of like outdoor paintball, but we put helmets on and chase each other around shooting padded arrows at one another. It's like a normal game of tag but you're getting shot by foam arrows."
There is no cost to attend the event. All the activities are focused on promoting outdoor recreation and educating local youth about the dangers of drug use. Local law enforcement agencies, including the Elkins City Police, Randolph County Sheriff's Office, West Virginia State Police, and the state Division of Natural Resources, have all been a big part of the event over the years and will also be present at this year's HOFNOD.
"I know the Elkins Police Department will be bringing their big black tactical vehicle for kids to check out," Peet said. "And the Sheriff's Department will be having some things like a DUI simulator."
In addition, $5,000 worth of door prizes will be given out throughout the course of the event.
"A lot of our sponsors donated something to be given out to kids during the event," said Peet. "We are super-excited about the things we are giving away. One of our biggest prizes this year is a kayak."
Peet said the event runs on the generosity displayed by many individuals and organizations.
"Our biggest sponsors, of course, are the Randolph County Commission, Elkins Parks and Recreation, and the Family Resource Network," Peet said. "We also want to thank Mike Ross for his donation, the Coca-Cola plant, Mountain Valley Bank, Davis Medical Center, Smoke Hole Caverns, Seneca Design, Walmart, Citizens Bank, Elkins Auto and the Delmonte Market."
Community partners signed up for the event include: Youth Health Service, Family Resource Center, the Elkins office of the DNR, Jodie Parrack State Farm, Randolph County 4-H Leaders Association, WVU Randolph County Extension Service, WV Prevention Solutions, the Elkins Fire Department, the Elkins Police Department, the WVDNR, the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, USDA Forest Service, Mountain Heart Community Service, the Randolph-Elkins Health Department, Columbo Law, US Cellular, Monongahela National Forest, RRG Behavioral Health, AFNHA, the Laurel Fork Falconer and Professional Care Services. Other organizations are expected to join the list before the event date.
Last year's event saw more than 600 kids walk through the door of the Phil Gainer Community Center. Peet said he expects another large turnout this year.
"We had a great turnout last year. I mean, it was flooded with kids," Peet said. "As long as the weather works out, we expect this year's event to be just as big, if not bigger."
Peet, who is also the youth development coordinator for the Elkins Parks & Recreation Department, noted that Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs recently became a non-profit organization.
"Becoming a non-profit is an awesome thing for our organization," Peet said. "It opens us up for grant opportunities that we usually don't have access to. So we are really excited about that."