After-school fishermen hope for warm weather

COLUMBUS - The students cast their lines into the clear, blue water hoping to snag a catch.

But it wasn't fish they were after. Floating in the water at the swimming pool at Sleep Inn were plastic bags full of goodies such as candy and stuffed animals.

Because of the cool weather, students were practicing their fishing skills indoors Thursday rather than outside. The group gathered at the hotel and took aim at hooking one of the bags. The activity was part of the “After Hours” after-school program.

The program is finishing its first year and is offered at Columbus Middle School. Students in grades 6-8 from any school in the county were welcome to enroll. Six-week sessions were offered on Tuesday and Thursday. Students had the opportunity to sign up for different clubs. The clubs, which have ranged from cooking to taekwondo, were taught by teachers or members of the community.

Several organizations have been involved in getting the program off the ground including Youth for Christ. Jeff Anderson, who is involved at Youth for Christ, was helping to teach students how to fish. He said the program provides young people with activities to do instead of possibly going home to an empty house.

“It gives students something to do after school, something positive. It's a positive experience they can be involved in until their parents get home,” Anderson said.

The program was started based on a community needs assessment survey in 2004 that found concerns about drug and alcohol use among youths, teenage pregnancy and juvenile delinquency. It was also determined that after school time, between 3-6 p.m., is when youth were most “at risk.”

The Columbus Collaborative Team conducted the survey, and with the help of Columbus Public Schools, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Office-Platte County, Youth for Christ and the Platte County Juvenile Diversion Program, the after school program was formed.

Students practicing their fishing skills said they liked being part of the program. They have heard from people from the Nebraska Games and Parks and also took part in a casting contest. Hopefully, Anderson said, the students will be able to actually fish outdoors this week.

Chantel Lutjelusche, 11, said this was the second time she has attended “After Hours.” She said it was more enjoyable for her to be a part of the program than doing what she typically did after school. “I think it's really fun. You get to spend time with your friends and you get to learn about things,” Lutjelusche said.

Tracey Miller, a guidance counselor at Columbus Middle School, is the program coordinator. For more information about it, call Miller at 563-7064, ext. 3007.