To help provide more opportunities for people to connect with nature, Anythink now provides fishing pole kits available for check-out. The kits, which include a fishing pole rod and reel combo and tackle box with hooks and other items, were generously donated by Denver-based fishing tackle company Eagle Claw. The fishing sets complement Anythink’s mySummer program, which collaborates with Colorado Parks & Wildlife to encourage outdoor learning, critical thinking and exploration. The Natural Learning Initiative of North Carolina State University outlines a number of benefits to outdoor learning, including support of creative problem-solving, healthy lifestyle habits, enhanced cognitive abilities and stress reduction. A 2005 American Institutes for Research study showed that students in outdoor science programs improved their science testing scores by 27 percent.

From backyard bugs to birds of prey, mySummer offers interactive programming at each Anythink location to help spark curiosity. To help continue the learning in nature, each participant receives a Colorado Parks & Wildlife gift certificate that can be applied towards entrance to any of Colorado’s 41 state parks, a fishing license, campsite reservation or annual parks pass. In addition to fishing pole kits, Anythink also participates in the Check Out Colorado State Parks program, offering backpacks for check-out that include a Colorado parks pass, compass, binoculars and guides to help people discover Colorado trails and identify native flora and fauna.

These items highlight Anythink’s ongoing commitment to nature- and experience-based learning, which also includes the library’s community gardens, apiaries and Explore Outdoors nature classrooms.

“We hope these fishing poles provide adventures and memories for individuals and their families throughout the summer,” says Suzanne McGowan, Anythink director of customer experience. “We are appreciative to Eagle Claw for the opportunity to continue to support nature-based learning in the community.”