,
Proud recipients of:
NJ Clean Communities Excellence in Education Award,
JCAA Youth Educators of the Year Award ,
and
NJ Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs
Outstanding Team Leaders
We are B.E.A.R, Debbie and Mike Bennett, and since 2010 we have brought our presentations/displays to over 25,000 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.
""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
“Pollution Solution/Everything Eventually Ends Up in the Water”
The impact we have on our environment and ways to make a difference
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Members of our Reel Fun Fishing/Outdoor Adventures Club
are proud recipients of Barnegat Bay Partnership's
Guardian of Barnegat Bay Award
"Reel Fun Fishing/Outdoor Adventures"
A youth/family club which combines outdoor recreation activities (fishing,
archery, camping, hiking, kayaking, etc.) together with environmental awareness,
healthy activities and promotes self confidence.
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Come join us - Upcoming events:
Fishing - Saturday - Nov 7th - Fisher Park, Laurel 10-noon
Environmental Presentation - Friday - Nov 13th
- Dunbar School, Laurel - 6:30pm
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BEAR hosts programs and events for Veterans, Active Duty Personnel,
Special Needs groups and the general public.
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Contact information:
Mike & Debbie Bennett - 732-492-4009
NJ State Certified Instructors
Certified Volunteer Master Naturalists
Certified Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs - Educators
Certified - Basic Archery Instructors
Email us: BEAR@boatingeducationandrescue.org
Like us on Facebook
B.E.A.R is partnered with, promotes and participates with:
Ocean County Park Systems – Fun, safe, educational outdoor recreational activities, environmental and boating safety presentation
Jenkinson’s Aquarium - Dedicated to educating the public on all aspects of marine life and conservation
Marine Trade Association (MTA)- .Bringing boating safety and clean boating practices to their members and customers. MTA promotes and protects the recreational marine industry and waterways in NJ
SUEZ - one of the Nation’s leading environmental companies, providing water and waste recycling services to more than
7.5 million people in the U.S. and Canada. Globally, SUEZ is present on all five continents and is a major player in circular
economy for the sustainable management of resources.
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
Barnegat Bay Partnership – outreach/educating the public on environmental issues regarding the Barnegat Bay and it's watershed
SUEZ - one of the Nation’s leading environmental companies, providing water and waste recycling services to more than
7.5 million people in the U.S. and Canada. Globally, SUEZ is present on all five continents and is a major player in circular
economy for the sustainable management of resources.
Clean Ocean Action – promote and participated in beach clean-ups.
Autism New Jersey Friends is an event group found through Facebook based in Ocean County NJ for parents and caregivers of special needs children and adults. All ages and disabilities welcome . Group offers over 60 events a year for people to meet others in their area and know they are not alone and allow their child to be who they are without judgement . Events are made by volunteers and are posted to group on Facebook. Many are private group events, but some are discounted group pricing for larger places like fun farms. The events are at cost but also have a couple free events each year. There is never a profit made as any and all discounts are always extended to all group members
"Play HOOK-e” is geared towards veterans struggling with PTSD & TBI. The goal is to connect veterans to
VA Service Offices/Outreach Centers, NJ Coastal Parks, Outdoor Clubs, Veteran Organizations, and help Veteran
men and women take time to heal by utilizing eco-therapy activities with other veterans.
Mike 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.