What started as a three-day youth fishing camp on the shores of Lake Marion is already growing into something bigger.
Following the successful launch of Fish School this summer, Santee Cooper Outdoors has announced a partnership with the South Carolina High School Bass Challenge and South Carolina Junior Bassmaster Tournament Trail to bring youth fishing education to communities across the state through a new traveling program called Bass Class.
For Whitney Phillips, founder of Fish School and co-owner of Santee Cooper Outdoors, the goal has always been about more than catching fish.
“Fish School is an opportunity for me and my family to invest back into our community and share our love for the outdoors, especially fishing, with others,” Phillips said. “Over the past few years, we have seen a rise in the use of electronic devices and fewer and fewer kids spending time outdoors. There’s a real need for more opportunities that engage children and encourage them to be more active outdoors and less active on their devices.”
The inaugural Fish School drew 30 youth anglers from South Carolina and Georgia. Participants ranging in age from 6 to 15 represented 18 schools and homeschool programs and came from 10 different ZIP codes.
Over three days, students learned water and fishing safety, fish identification, conservation practices, fishing techniques, boat electronics and tournament fishing fundamentals. The camp also included hands-on experiences with live fish and opportunities for older participants to mentor younger anglers.
“One thing that I definitely want to continue highlighting is kids teaching kids,” Phillips said. “A lot of times it lasts so much longer when they hear it from someone their own age.”
That approach was evident throughout the week as experienced young anglers helped newcomers learn to cast, identify fish and gain confidence around the water.
Gene Ingram, one of the camp's volunteers and a boat captain for youth anglers during the school fishing season, said watching children learn and share their excitement was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
“One big thing that I saw out of those three days is when they got to see those fish up close and learn about them,” Ingram said. “They lit up.”
Parents praised the program for creating an environment where children could learn new skills while making friends who share similar interests.
“Eli had a blast and learned so much,” parent Kaitlin Hughes wrote in feedback shared by the program. “We are so grateful for the opportunity you’ve created for the kids in our community and around the state.”
Victoria Arrants echoed those sentiments.
“So glad Bailee got to meet new friends and learn so much this week,” she said. “We cannot wait until next year.”
The success of Fish School quickly sparked conversations about expanding its reach.
Phillips said her longtime friendship and business relationship with South Carolina High School Bass Challenge and South Carolina Junior Bassmaster Tournament Trail Director Tony Gray led to the development of Bass Class, a one-day educational program that will travel to lakes throughout South Carolina during the school year.
“Over the years, we have had many conversations about ways to better serve today’s youth and provide opportunities for them to fish and learn about fishing,” Phillips said.
The first Bass Class is expected to be held at Santee Cooper as the youth tournament season begins this fall.
Designed for both beginners and experienced anglers, the three- to four-hour program will cover fishing safety, fish care and conservation, equipment basics, casting techniques and bass boat electronics. Depending on weather and location, classes may include both classroom-style instruction and hands-on learning on the water.
Phillips said Bass Class is designed to help address some of the biggest barriers that keep young people from entering the sport: knowledge, networking opportunities and cost.
“Teaching kids how to fish, introducing them to others that like to fish and providing information about tournament trails and community teams helps bridge those gaps,” she said.
While participants currently must provide their own equipment, Phillips hopes future partnerships and sponsorships will allow organizers to place rods, reels and tackle directly into the hands of children who need them.
Ultimately, Phillips said both Fish School and Bass Class are built around the same mission: helping young people discover a lifelong connection to the outdoors.
“What do I hope a student takes away from it?” she said. “A love, or a deeper love, for fishing.”
