Upcoming Events 

National Campout - June 25th - June 26th - Ocean County Park, Lakewood
Come join us for a bonfire (with S'mores), nature hike and sleeping under the stars in beautiful Ocean County Park.  Limited number of tents available for use (free). 

Meet at the Beach - July 10th - Ocean County Park, Lakewood
Join us for a fun afternoon of fishing, seining, crafts and more.

Crabbing Contest - July 23rd, 9am - 1pm - Mantoloking Bridge County Park
No entry fee - bunker bait only - no chicken
Bunker will be provided by Jenkinson's Aquarium

Contact Chris Claus, Chief Park Naturalist at 732-506-5122,
for more information on any of the above
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We are B.E.A.R, Debbie and Mike Bennett, and since 2010 we have brought our presentations/displays to over 15,000 kids aged 4 to 100, throughout NJ, DEL, PA and Wash, DC.    B.E.A.R. promotes education by offering environmental, boating safety (including green boating practices) and recreational programs, designed to help people make responsible decisions about the environment.  Hopefully, when people are enjoying the outdoors and educated about the sources and effects of pollution, they will be less likely to contribute to the problem and more respectful of our environment.

Our interactive presentations  include:
 “Pollution Solution/Everything Eventually Ends Up in the Water”
The impact we have on our environment and ways to make a difference

""Junior Boating Safety""
Teaching boating safety awareness to our younger boaters

""Suddenly in Command""
What to do if you were suddenly in charge of controlling the boat

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Disconnect and Discover - Nature

Get outside - learn and have fun

Our outdoor/education activities/events include:

Basic Archery, Crabbing , Fun Family Fishing events, Nature Walks (learn about our local animals, plants and, trees),
seining (what's in the water), Kid's nature crafting, Kayaking, Scavenger Hunts, Compass Use/Map Reading, Family Camping Events,  Basic Navigation Workshops, Basic Seamanship Workshops


“Reel Fun Fishing”  - a 4H/HOFNOD program (Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs) 

  Our program provides a great opportunity to get kids involved in positive recreational activities. The goal of the program is to encourage school-aged children to avoid tobacco, drug and alcohol usage by providing alternative activities that involve learning to fish, appreciating aquatic and environmental resources and developing positive life skills.  “Reel Fun Fishing” utilizes our “Disconnect and Discover” activities, providing students and their families with access to NJ’s incredible outdoor recreational assets.  Our club is designed to educate our kids, have them make positive choices, promoting respect, self-confidence, integrity, community service and environmental awareness.


All of our programs are free or at little cost – your donations, either monetary, serviceable fishing equipment, tents, kayak/canoes are much appreciated.

Contact information:

Mike & Debbie Bennett

NJ State Certified Instructors
Certified Volunteer Master Naturalists
Certified Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs - Educators
Certified 4H Group Leaders

732-492-4009

Email us:   BEAR@boatingeducationandrescue.org

Like us on Facebook

B.E.A.R is partnered with, promotes and participates with:
 
Barnegat Bay Partnership – outreach/educating the public on environmental issues regarding the Barnegat Bay and it's watershed. Ocean  County Park Systems – Fun, safe, educational outdoor recreational activities, environmental and boating safety presentation
Jenkinson’s Aquarium - which is dedicated to educating the public on all aspects of marine life and conservation
Marine Trade Association (MTA)-  displays and presentations at the MTA boat shows and member’s marina.  Bringing boating safety and clean boating practices to their members and customers.  MTA promotes and protects the recreational marine industry and waterways in NJ Department of Environmental Protection  - monitoring the Environmentally Sensitive Zones, Water Quality Monitoring and educating the public on Environmental/ Green Boating activities. Promote and participate in the annual/bi-annual “Barnegat Bay Blitz” – a watershed wide clean up. Outreach/educators for schools and other organization on environmental issues.  Educating the public on the Sea Nettle problems.
 Sea Grant Consortium/Clean Vessel Act - promoting the use of the Pump-Out Facilities and Pump-Out Boats. Sea Grant Consortium programs are directed towards advancing greater understanding and stewardship of our state’s marine and coastal resources
NJ Clean Communities - A statewide, comprehensive, litter abatement program serving New Jersey residents and visitors for over 25 years
Clean Ocean Action – promote and participated in beach clean-ups.  

B.E.A.R. set-up a "Life Jacket Loaner Station" at various areas throughout Ocean County and donated the life jackets to these locations.    
B.E.A.R works with many special needs groups - "Day on the Bay" - Boat Rides to Special Needs People and their families.  Works with Ocean County Park and ARC of Ocean County, bringing environmental programs (i.e. shellfish, benefits of earthworms, composting, and fishing fun).  Many fishing events with special needs children and adult groups
B.E.A.R. assists Disabled Veterans with fun, safe outdoor activities. 



PictureMike and Debbie Bennett of Boating Education and Rescue (BEAR), hosted an event, “I Learned to Fish Today”, on Sunday, August 16th 2015. Sponsors of the event were Ocean County Parks, Lakewood Police Benevolent Association, Marine Trade Association (JerseyBoatExpo.com), Jenkinson’s Aquarium and Bass Pro Shop of Atlantic City. The event held at Lake Shenandoah Park, was attended by over 50 children (ages 5 through 18), their parents and siblings. Twenty-five volunteers from the community gave of their knowledge, talents and energy, to educate and assist in making “I Learned to Fish Today” a tremendous success. These volunteers were excellent role models and mentors to the children. There were six (6) learning stations, consisting of (1) Safety – Personal, environment and fish handling (2) Environmental Protection – Healthy habitats, effects of runoff, identification of macro invertebrates , (3) Casting skills, different types of rods/reels, (4) Fish Identification, types of fish, parts of the fish, (5) Knot Tying, types of tackle and how to rig a fishing pole and (6) Conservation, catch and release, how to find bait and where to fish in NJ. After the children rotated through the six learning stations, the Lakewood PBA provided lunch to all participants, families and volunteers. Children ended the day with fishing knowledge, an event tee shirt, a new fishing pole/reel, tackle kit, a bucket filled with fishing goodies and a greater respect for their environment. Parents were thrilled with the program, most asking when our next event will occur.