Fishing Friends aims to provide children hobby, mentorshipDate: 7/11/2023 Fishing Friends Inc. is a nonprofit that started in Springfield with the mission of teaching youth about fishing so they can build character, connect with nature, develop relationships and learn new skills. Established by Founder/Executive Director Giancarlo Crivelli on St. Patrick’s Day of 2022, Fishing Friends takes children fishing all throughout the Pioneer Valley from Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge in Longmeadow all the way up to Lake Wyola in Deerfield.
“In 2022, we took over 50 children fishing. This year, we want to take over 100 children fishing by the end of the summer,” said Crivelli. “Our goal is to get kids off their electronics, get them back out in nature and give them the opportunity to learn about all the different types of ecosystems that we have and our local aquatic biology.”
Crivelli has been fishing his entire life. Ever since he was a toddler, Crivelli had a fishing pole in his hand. His father Francesco and grandfather Albert who were avid fishermen and fairly well-known in the local Hampden community taught him how to fish.
Crivelli recalled, “We were going fishing for lake trout, rainbow trout, Brook trout, catfish, bass, panfish, all different types of fish.”
Crivelli’s father died from a heart attack right before his 13th birthday and his grandfather died shortly after. Crivelli used fishing as a way to honor their memory; to stay connected with them and handle the depression during his teenage years. When the pandemic hit, Crivelli started taking his friends, family, nieces and nephews fishing and everyone would say that they loved it. When Crivelli realized he was providing a unique experience for people in the community, especially young underrepresented youth in the inner city who often times didn’t have a father figure to take them fishing, he knew that he needed to do this as much as possible to provide a mentor in the community and a positive activity for them to do.
“I wanted to create a nonprofit where the community could really rally behind this mission of getting kids off the street and getting them back out into nature,” Crivelli said. “I want to teach them characteristics like patience, team work, resilience and diligence; what it means to be a hardworking positive member of society.”
Springfield resident Amanda Rodriguez heard about Fishing Friends by someone sharing a picture of a paper flyer on Facebook about them. She immediately set up a time and location for her boys to meet with Crivelli.
“My boys have had such an incredible opportunity to learn and grow as fisherman alongside someone who has a passion for teaching and exploring. Giancarlo’s patience with the kids is unmatched,” said Rodriguez. “Fishing Friends is important because we are living in a time where kids don’t really have a want to go out and explore. They want to be connected to their devices, but this really opens their minds up to nature, helps them with patience and the rewarding feeling of a great catch.”
Montague resident Kitty Crivelli who’s the aunt of Giancarlo Crivelli has an eleven-year-old son who’s also an avid fisherman and was one of Fishing Friends earliest friends. She told Reminder Publishing that Crivelli has taken her son fishing so many times and each time her son returns seemingly larger than life, most often with photos of the fish he caught and stories of what he learned from Crivelli.
“Giancarlo is a role model,” Kitty said. “A talented and passionate fisherman who is committed to bettering the lives of children, spreading the art and joy of fishing and keeping the spirit of his father alive. Giancarlo also teaches about the environment and how it’s up to each of us to make a difference. He is a gem.” She continued, “Fishing Friends teaches kids a skill that will last them a lifetime, giving them a way to be out in nature, away from screens, making memories and experiencing the great outdoors with someone who can inspire them and build on their sense of self.”
Fishing Friends is working with the Holyoke Rows on teaching children how to fish and is also a summer camp with the Hispanic American Library at Springfield Union Station. They will be doing a series of smaller events, but in terms of creating a larger event, Fishing Friends are still looking for more funding. Right now, they’re working on getting their liability insurance so they can take children fishing out on the water.
“Fishing isn’t about catching fish, it’s about the experience and making memories with those around you,” Crivelli concluded.
To learn more about Fishing Friends, visit their website at www.fishingfriends.page.
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