January Kids’N’Snow Features NAIFC Ice Fishing Camp

kidsnsnowWest Yellowstone, MT January 14-15, 2017

On Saturday, January 14th, kids will have the unique opportunity to learn to ice fish for free! The ice fishing pros and equipment manufacturers will be in West Yellowstone that weekend for a NAIFC tournament. As part of the tournament, NAIFC (National Association of Ice Fishing) offers a special Ice Camp for kids and their parents.

Ice Camp is a popular industry-leading youth education program that is open to the public and free of charge. There will be two different starting times. The first group begins at 11:00 AM with classroom instruction and demonstration of ice fishing equipment, techniques, as well as safety, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Then everyone heads out onto the ice for fishing tutorials delivered by experienced, certified NAIFC Pro-Staff instructors. A second group will start in the classroom at 11:45, followed by the on-ice experience. A hot lunch will be served after on-ice demo’s and practice, between 12:30-1:30. Before leaving, all kids who participate will receive a complimentary ice rod and tackle. Make sure to dress warmly including waterproof footwear for this outside event.

Kirkwood Marina is located on Hebgen Lake, 18 miles from the junctions of Highways 101 and 287 north of West Yellowstone. For directions, call 406-646-7200 or go to westyellowstoneicefishing.com/directions

About Kids’N’Snow
Winters in West Yellowstone are always exciting, but now fun with the family means even more activities during the Kids’N’Snow Weekends. Most activities during these weekends are free, although some have limited openings and require pre-registration to secure a spot.

In its fifth full year, the winter event series was created to offer an opportunity for all kids, both from our community and winter visitors, the chance to try new things in a safe and fun hands-on learning environment. And hopefully to develop lifelong healthy habits along the way.

So, what kind of activities can your child try, you ask? How about a snowshoe hike along the Riverside Trail in Yellowstone National Park with a Ranger? Or join a naturalist from the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center for a free presentation with live raptors (birds, not the dinosaurs!). Children can also find animal tracks, ride an M120 snowmobile, dissect owl pellets, or make a s’more over an open fire.

For more information, the complete schedule and registration, please go to www.kidsnsnow.org.