When I was young, I was never a “camp kid.” I feared the idea of my parents shipping me away for weeks during the precious summer months when I would rather be fishing. Growing up, my mode of transportation from spot to spot was my bike, equipped with a milk crate for my tackle and two rod holders. My friends and I spent our summers biking everywhere, from freshwater reservoirs to saltwater creeks. I was ultimately hooked by the thrill of biking around town and exploring new fishing grounds. Looking back, I probably would have liked summer camp if I had been able to do just that.
In 2020, the Covid-19 lockdown drew people outdoors to escape the house and explore nature. This also created a fantastic window for a new business opportunity to get kids in the neighborhood outside, as most traditional camps had closed down. My close friends, John McCloskey, Matthew Menozzi, and Ryan Leavay, took advantage of this window and created Fairfield Fishing Camp in Fairfield, Connecticut. When I asked my friends, John and Matt, why they decided to start Fairfield Fishing Camp, John explained they wanted to start a business that involved something they were passionate about and share their love for fishing with others. John also noted that “the camp provided kids with something better to do than sit inside and play video games during Covid.” Matt said that his vision behind starting the camp was “to create a camp where kids can learn everything about fishing, from tying a knot to unhooking their fish so they can eventually fish on their own.”
The business quickly took off and camp sessions filled up immediately as parents sought ways to get their kids outdoors after a long spring locked inside. The camp currently runs with two groups daily, each with eight to twelve kids between the ages of eight and fourteen. The camp operates from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The kids are given set-ups, bait or lures, and donuts on Thursdays. We also rotate groups in new spots every day to allow the kids to explore the various waters of Fairfield County. Most of our fishing is bottom fishing, targeting fluke, porgies, croaker, northern kingfish and other small species. Occasionally, a dogfish or small striper swims by, making camp extremely competitive.
Besides the business’s immense success in the Fairfield County area, the camp holds a deeper meaning to all of us. We were all fortunate enough to be raised to respect our environment and care for the fish in our oceans. Our goal is to spread awareness of these issues to the next generation of anglers so that they too, will learn to respect our fishery. Matt noted that he “wanted to share his passion for fishing and conservation with future generations.” This is a common goal between all four of us and we use it as our daily motivator when teaching the kids. When I asked fellow counselor Grant Boehk about the camp, he said that he “loves sharing his knowledge of fishing with the campers and especially enjoys teaching kids how to respect our environment”. We pride ourselves on teaching campers how to adequately handle and release fish to ensure their survival. Our current fisheries are threatened and facing numerous new challenges every year. It is crucial that we continue to educate our campers to the best of our ability so that this next generation of anglers is taught how to fish and respect our environment.
In addition to teaching younger generations how to care for the fish they are catching, we’ve watched each kid immensely progress in their skills and develop meaningful friendships while doing so. When I asked one of our long-time campers, William Gombos, what he loved about Fairfield Fishing Camp, he said: “I love to spend my summers fishing with friends.” It has been super cool and rewarding to watch kids show up to camp not knowing anything or anyone, and proceed to create new friendships and bond over the fun of fishing. Matt said, “What brings us the most joy during camp is seeing the kids smile when they catch their first fish while having fun with their friends.” There’s no better feeling than providing someone with a memorable experience like this.
I’ve been lucky enough to find a group of friends who share a similar passion for fishing, and I’m thankful to work alongside them each summer. Whether dealing with the biggest bird’s nest ever or helping a kid land their first fish, there’s nothing more enjoyable than spending the summer spreading the knowledge of fishing.
While Fairfield Fishing Camp may not be your traditional summer camp, it provides kids with a valuable skill they can carry with them for a lifetime. It makes me proud to be a part of something that teaches the next generation of anglers how to love fishing while respecting our fisheries simultaneously. If I was young enough and given this opportunity, I would call myself a camp kid in a heartbeat.
