A Sporting Chance for Youth Day

A free fun-filled day in Riverside Park on June 14, 2008 gives boys and girls from throughout Greater Hartford the opportunity to sample activities that happen along the Riverfront, including fishing, orienteering, football, soccer, rowing, golf, basketball, and the Riverfront Challenge Course.  If you or your youth organization would like more information, please contact Renee Jones at (860)713-3131 x 327.

A Reel Chance, A Connecticut River Steward Program

A new program for middle school students which focuses on historical and environmental features related to the Connecticut River as well as providing a strong emphasis on violence prevention. This program is presently being offered in Hartford’s Breakthrough Magnet School and is sponsored by Citizens Bank Foundation. Partners in this program include The Hartford Police Department-Marine Patrol Division, Ct River Salmon Association, The Connecticut Science Center, The Connecticut Bass Federation, The Metropolitan District Commission, FLW Outdoors, and the Berkley Conservation Institute. 

High School Rowing

Riverfront offers many opportunities for high school students to learn how to row or improve their rowing. The rowing program is offered in the summer and in the fall, and is open to boys and girls in 8th-12th grades. The rowing program teaches beginning and experienced youth rowers in both competitive and non-competitive settings. The fall program becomes more competitive as the Riverfront high school crews prepare to race against other high school teams at regattas throughout New England. Students are grouped according to level of experience; there are a variety of programs for students to choose from. For more information on our rowing program, click here.

Summer Rowing Camp

During this four-day camp, college crew coaches teach experienced and first-time rowers in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Camp is open to boys and girls in the 8th-12th grades. For more information on our rowing program, click here.

Get Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs

As a part on a national effort to get young people involved with fishing, Riverfront Recapture has partnered with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Fisheries to offer fishing classes that introduce young people to the sport of fishing. The program teaches youth a variety of lessions about fishing from basic tackle needed to the wide variety of species of fish that live in the Connecticut River. For more information or a C.A.R.E. Class schedule, call 860-424-FISH or visit their website here.

Riverfront Adventure Challenge Course

Team-building activities and exercises which build self-confidence are among the components offered on the challenge course that includes high and low ropes and a climbing tower. For more information on our challenge course, click here.

Connecticut River Summer Youth Employment Science Program

A six-week summer youth employment program that takes place in partnership with Our Piece of the Pie, a Hartford organization that assists young people to get into the work force. This opportunity introduces high school aged boys and girls first job skills and job readiness skills as well as providing a strong emphasis on the Connecticut River Environmental Sciences.  In 2008 this program will be partnering with National Geographic.  This program operates in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Fisheries, where the students will be collecting data about the behaviors of snapping turtles int eh CT River for the bureau related to the river and the fish habitat.

Hartford Wildcats Pop-Warner Football

Through the generous sponsorship of Lincoln Financial Group, Riverside Park is the home of the Hartford Wildcats Pop Warner football team. The Wildcats qualified for the national championship in Phoenix, Arizona in 2005. For more information, call Charles Ferguson at (860) 218-7160.

Youth Enrichment Program Funders

The Ensworth Charitable Foundation; Bank of America, Trustee
Fisher Foundation
Lily Palmer Fry Memorial Trust
George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation
The Hartford Courant Foundation

In an effort to offer inner city youth the opportunity to participate in the sport of fishing; Riverfront Recapture’s A Sporting Chance for Youth program accepts donations of fishing equipment. Your doantion will give young people the opportunity to learn how to fish on the CT River in the Riverfront Parks. If you or your organization would like to make a donation of fishing equipment please call Craig Mergins at (860) 713-3131 ext. 325.