With the turn of the century, the Optimist Club of Stanley Park, through the initiative of Optimist member Ron Bauman, supported and sponsored a School Fishing Program for youth in the Grand River area. The club supplied fishing poles and money to local schools so students could get out and fish in June, September, and October and Ron encouraged their participation.  The program expanded to include more schools each year under his guidance and leadership until Ron moved up to Elliot Lake in September 2017 with is family, (Sharon & Michael). Everyone wished them well in their latest adventure at their farewell party.

Ron Bauman & The Joy of Fishing – bringing joy and new experiences to youth who might not otherwise get such a chance .

This program received support from many sponsors including: the City of Cambridge Parks & Rec. Dept., Bob & Wayne Izumi, Natural Sports (Kitchener), Catch'em Bait & Tackle (Kitchener), Tall Tales Bait & Tackle, Pure Fishing, Cam Thomson, Keith Robinson's Fish Ponds, the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters, the Kids & Cops Fishing Program, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and Bill Thompson & his fishing buddies. We thank all these individuals and organizations, and many others not mentioned here as well, for their help in making this program, not only possible, but also enjoyable for so many of our community's youth. Thanks!

Note: The fishing equipment was donated to the local police so their  Kids & Cops Fishing Program could continue. 

Past Highlights:

In 2011 the students of Mrs. Watson's class at Sheppard School in Cambridge caught the largest fish ever in the School Fishing Program's history - a 32 1/2" carp! Congratulations - well done! 

In 2010 Ron was back fishing with the students after missing out in 2009 dealing with some health issues. 

On June 20 (2008), students of Lackner Woods caught a 29 1/2" carp and finished with the 2nd place trophy. The biggest catch for 2008 ended uo being , a 30" carp caught by students of St Daniel's School. The photo selection includes one of  Mr. Donaldson with the Championship trophy won by St Daniel's but taken at his new school, Our Lady of Lourdes --- with students that he plans to guide in future fishing program outings!

On June 21 (2007), students of St Daniel's school caught the biggest fish, a 31 1/2" carp and took home the trophy to prove it. 

Article by Carrie Debrone (2006) that appeared in the Kitchener Citizen (East Edition)

Two students from St. Patrick’s Catholic School were presented with trophies for their catch of a 28-inch carp while fishing at the Speed River at Riverside Park in Preston in June, 2006.

The fishing team of Daniel Brilhante and Jacob O'King made the amazing catch while participating in the 2006 Stanley Park Optimist Fishing Program - a program offered annually to schools in the Stanley Park area of Kitchener. As part of the program, students who catch the largest fish are awarded a first place trophy. “It was quite remarkable. This was the first fish either one of them had ever caught and they were really excited,” said teacher Brian Goodyear whose class participated in the program last spring. 

Sponsored by the Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Bob Izumi’s Real Fishing Show and Natural Sports, the annual program which introduces elementary school children to the sport of fishing is sometimes combined with activities linked to school curriculum such as studies of river habitat, or offered as a special end-of-theschool-year outing. Last year, children from 14 local schools in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 participated. Students fish with rods, barbless hooks and worms.

Optimist Club member and Program Coordinator, Ron Bauman, who has been introducing young people to fishing for 16 years, presented trophies, hats and shirts to the boys on Oct. 25 at St. Patrick’s School and also gave hats to all their former class mates who were on hand to watch as boys reeled in the large fish. 

“We hope that this program will allow kids to get out and enjoy nature and to learn about the sport of fishing. About half of every class we take out has usually never fished before,” Bauman said. “Some schools allow the students to bring their parents along and it’s just a great day out enjoying nature. We hope that maybe some of these children will go on to enjoy fishing when they become adults,” he said.