People from around the area descended on Emporia State University’s Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center for the annual Vamos a Pescar activities.
This year’s event had a lot of familiar community partners, including Kansas Spanish Speakers, Emporia Public Library, Emporia Arts Council, Team Schnak Strong and others — but it also saw appearances by Kansas Department of Health and Environment and US Army Corps of Engineers. What’s In Outdoors host Phil Taunton says the partnerships help the event grow.
Vamos volunteer Paula Hough says lessons go beyond basic fishing into fun ways to explore STEM: science, technology, engineering and math.
Fellow volunteer Taylor Parks, an Emporia State graduate student, says the overall event was a great way to bring people together at PAROC.
PAROC Coordinator Alex Gentry says there are benefits for the community. There are also benefits for students like Parks.
The only hiccup Saturday was the ongoing blue-green algae warning at King Lake meant plans for kayaking had to be shelved.
Vamos was created to engage the local Hispanic community with more information about fishing. The event is still geared towards local and area Hispanics with information about fishing and hunting, along with crafts, hands-on activities and hiking, but it has always been open to all regardless of ethnic background. USD 253 Migrant Education, What’s In Outdoors, Hispanics of Today & Tomorrow, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and PAROC work together to coordinate the event.
*Click here for KVOE’s YouTube channel, including a YouTube Short from Saturday’s event.
