Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the IGFA Fishing camp held?

The camp will be conducted at the IGFA Headquarters. 

300 Gulf Stream Way

Dania Beach, FL 33004

 

What activities will the campers participate in and what will they learn?  Are campers required to have prior knowledge and/or experience with fishing?

Participants learn about fish biology, aquatic ecosystems, knot tying, tackle, tying flies & jigs, and much more! The weeks also include arts and crafts and take-home projects, interactive games, hands-on activities, guest speakers, field trips, and of course fishing! Field trips take campers to lakes, estuaries, the Everglades, the Intracoastal Waterway, and to the ocean by shore and by boat. Campers do not need to attend one week before attending any other week.  You choose the weeks your child will attend camp in any order you prefer. However, during the Summer, the Advanced Angling weeks are designed for campers with prior fishing knowledge, they are not designed for beginner anglers.

 

What COVID safety measures will the IGFA Camp use to keep each child safe?

IGFA Cleaning staff will clean all common areas every morning before camp begins, as well as several times during the day. Masks will not be mandatory to be worn by campers, volunteers, and staff. It is still recommended to bring a mask in case an activity cannot be socially distant. Hand sanitizing stations will be available and hand washing will be done frequently throughout the day.

 

What are the qualifications of the counselors?  What are their certifications?  Have they had background checks and been fingerprinted? 

Staff are certified in CPR and First Aid. Background checks and fingerprinting have been assessed for all counselors, instructors, and staff.

 

What is the ratio of students to chaperones? 

IGFA practices the same standards as the Broward County School District of 1 chaperone to 10 children (1:10).  We also have teenage volunteers to aid the instructors each week.

 

Does the camp take children offsite?  If offsite, where?

The camp takes campers offsite Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday each week to various Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County parks.

 

What is the cost of the camp?  Are there any discounts?

Summer Camp costs $400 for regular weeks, while the Advanced Angling weeks are $525. An early registration discount of $25 (off your total) is available for parents/guardians who register by May 1. We also offer a multiple child discount for siblings of $25 per family and multiple week discounts.

 

Is a deposit required?

A deposit is not required.  However, you must pay in full for your camp at the time of registration.  Your child’s space will not be saved unless payment has been received in full.  Aftercare can be paid daily.

 

Are there scholarships available?

Yes, a limited number of one-week, full-tuition Summer Camp scholarships are available to families. Please check the summer camp website page: www.igfa.org/camps to download the application. Scholarships can only be used for regular camp weeks they cannot be used for the Advanced Angling weeks. One scholarship per child.

 

What are the camp hours?

Camp hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Thursday (unless otherwise noted on the field trip schedule).  On Friday, campers are required to arrive by 7:30am.  Before care is available Monday – Thursday from 8:30am to 9:00am free of charge.  Aftercare is offered from 4:00pm to 5:00pm at a rate of $20 per hour, per child. 

 

Is this camp program co-ed?  What are the ages for camp?

Yes, the IGFA Camp is for girls and boys ages 7-12 for regular weeks and ages 10-14 for the Advanced Angling weeks. 

 

Does IGFA guarantee my child will catch fish?

No, the IGFA counselors and volunteers will try our hardest to help each camper catch fish each day, but we can’t control if fish bite.

 

Can my child keep the fish they catch?

Our camp is primarily a catch and release camp, so campers will not be allowed to take home legal catches. However, during Advanced Angling weeks, the campers are allowed to keep their legal catches. One of the activities during that week is to teach campers how to fillet and cook their catch.

 

Is transportation provided to and from the camp? 

No, each child must be dropped off (and signed in) and picked up (and signed out) by their parent/guardian from camp each day.

 

What is the procedure for parking, drop off, and pick up?

Parents can park along the West side of the IGFA Headquarters or park in a nearby parking space. Walk your child towards the IGFA Headquarters side entrance. You must come in to sign your child IN and OUT daily. PLEASE DO NOT drop off children without signing them in. 

 

What type of vehicle is used when traveling on field trips?  Does it have seat belts?  Is it air-conditioned?  Who drives the vehicle?

An air-conditioned coach bus is used for travel to and from field trips.  A licensed bus driver oversees the bus. The Florida Statutes do not require buses to have seat belts (section 316.614, 3a1 and 2).

 

Is lunch provided or do the campers need to bring lunch daily?

No, Campers must bring their own lunch (that does not need refrigeration or heating), EXTRA snacks and EXTRA drinks are necessary. Please provide your child with MULTIPLE drinks EACH day.  Food delivery services, i.e. Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash, etc, will not be permitted. The IGFA will be utilizing large water jugs that campers can use to refill their water bottles. But please remember, we are an active camp that is primarily done outdoors, so it’s better to pack more than you think your child will need than less. The IGFA does now provide food or snacks for the campers.

 

What do the campers need to wear daily? 

Each camper will receive an IGFA T-shirt on the first day of their camp session.  Campers must wear an IGFA camp T- shirt DAILY.  Additional shirts are available for $10.00 each.  Campers can wear casual dress: IGFA T-shirt, shorts, sneakers, sunglasses, and a hat.  Sunscreen, a light jacket, and poncho are suggested every day.  It is also a good idea to pack an extra pair of clothes, shoes, or sandals as we WILL still fish in the rain as long as the weather conditions remain safe.

 

What do campers need to bring?

Parents/guardians will be emailed a “WHAT TO BRING” sheet for each week of camp informing them of what campers will need to bring each day of the week. Extra items needed may include a towel, bathing suit, change of clothes, poncho, hat, and sunscreen.  Campers may bring a small backpack with their belongings, but they are responsible for carrying their own gear.  Please be sure to label all belongings with the camper’s initials. On Fridays, campers may need motion sickness pills:  We suggest giving your child Bonine vs. Dramamine, since Dramamine tends to make the campers sleepy.

 

Do the campers need to bring their own fishing equipment?

No, campers are not permitted to bring in any of their own fishing equipment. IGFA will provide all bait and tackle.

 

What else should campers not bring?

Campers are not permitted to bring radios, money, toys, video games, or anything else that would be disruptive to the camp.

 

Can campers bring cell phones to camp?

Cell phones have become an inconvenience and, more importantly, a distraction in our camp. Because of this, the IGFA will be implementing the following cell phone policy. Campers will NOT be permitted to use cell phones during camp hours. This includes texting or answering calls from parents/friends, while on the bus traveling to field trip locations, or during downtime. Counselors will take camper cell phones if they are being used during camp hours. Any confiscated phones will be returned at the end of day at pick up and the counselors will have a conversation with the parents. If brought to the IGFA camp, cell phones must remain in the camper’s backpack on silent mode. If you need to contact your child during camp hours, please call/text the IGFA camp cell phone at (954) 849-8871.

 

Are parents allowed to participate in our camp programs?  Can they join the campers on field trips?  Is there an additional charge for this?

Yes, a limited number of parents can participate during the charter boat fishing excursion during regular camp weeks. Parents who want to attend the charter boat excursion will need to RSVP with a camp counselor and pay $30 to the IGFA. Parents will be responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the boat docks. Please note there is metered parking (credit cards and cash accepted) at the marina, carpooling is encouraged. Parents will not be allowed to join during the Advanced Angling boat trips. IGFA practices Catch and Release, so parents won’t be allowed to keep any legal catches.

 

Is there a nurse on-site?

No, the IGFA camp does not have a nurse on-site, but all the instructors are CPR and First Aid certified. If an injury occurs during camp, an “Ouch Report” will be filled out for the incident and a copy will be given to the parents/guardian. If the incident is major and requires hospital care, a parent/guardian will be contacted immediately. All parents are required to complete a Hold Harmless Agreement Form while registering their child to complete their reservation, which includes the health care information and emergency contact information.

 

What if I don’t have health insurance?

If health care is needed, the parent’s health care insurance policy would be primary and IGFA’s health insurance policy would be secondary. If a child were not covered by insurance, IGFA’s health insurance would then be primary.

 

What is our safety and regulations policy?  What precautions do we practice ensuring safety?  What is the protocol for safety when participating in water activities?

Camp counselors always carry a binder with them which contains all camper emergency information and contact phone numbers. There is at least 1 chaperone for every 10 children, all instructors are CPR and First Aid certified.  When on boat field trips, they’ll have personal floatation devices (PFDs) available, and when swimming at beaches or pools lifeguards are present.

 

What if a child becomes ill?

If your child is ill and cannot attend, please call the education camp cell phone at (954) 849-8871 and notify the staff so that we do not hold the bus or wait unnecessarily for your child. If the child should become sick while in camp and participating in activities, a staff member would make the child as comfortable as possible and contact a parent/guardian for an early pickup. DO NOT bring your child(ren) to the IGFA camp if they are sick.

 

What if I need to contact my child or IGFA camp staff during camp?

If your child is currently attending a camp week, you can speak to a camp counselor during camp hours by calling or texting the education camp cell phone at (954) 849-8871.  This phone is ONLY activated during camp hours from 9:00am-4:00pm Monday through Thursday and 7:00am-4:00pm on Fridays. Please do not use this number to register your child for camp. If you’re trying to reach your child in aftercare, from 4:00pm-5:00pm, please dial the IGFA Education landline phone at (954) 924-4362.