"It's so important to give kids a taste of the outdoors," said Scot Harlacher, a member of the Donegal Fish and Conservation Association (DFCA). That's the goal of the organization's annual Kids Fishing Derby.

The event will be held on Saturday, April 15, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the reflecting pond on the grounds of Donegal Presbyterian Church, 1891 Donegal Springs Road, Mount Joy. The derby is open to all youths age 11 and under as well as all handicapped anglers who possess a current Pennsylvania fishing license.

"This is a really fun event," Harlacher noted. "We have kids who this is like Christmas morning for them. It's that same level of excitement."

He also noted that the event is a multigenerational experience. "We have parents who went to this as kids and now they're bringing their own kids," he stated, noting that the event has been held at the church since the late 1990s.

The DFCA will stock the pond with more than 300 brook, rainbow, golden and brown trout. Participants will have the opportunity to catch up to five fish per person to take home. All fishermen must bring their own equipment and clean their own fish. DFCA members will be on hand until 11:30 a.m. to help fishermen, but all fishing will stop at 11 a.m.

The church will host a pancake breakfast during the event, and the meal will be open to the general public. It will be served from 7 to 11 a.m. in the church fellowship hall and will feature a menu of pancakes, sausage and juice, with coffee available for a separate charge. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the church's annual mission trip to upstate New York. "This is one of our main fundraisers for that trip," said Harlacher, who is a member of the church. "We've been going on this trip for more than 20 years to perform home rehabilitation projects."

He noted that the fishing derby will be held rain or shine, and he encourages participants to come out no matter the weather. "Come early, bring your own equipment and come prepared to have fun," he said. "Even if the weather is a little unfavorable, you can come in and warm up in the church, have breakfast and head back out to fish some more."

All participants must register with the DFCA on the day of the derby. Parking will be permitted only in the Donegal Presbyterian Church parking area, with no street parking.

The DFCA is a local nonprofit organization focused on restoring the Donegal watershed to its original state. On Tuesday, April 18, the organization will dedicate a bridge at 617 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy, to Ken Depoe, the DFCA's founder. Depoe started the organization in 1965, said Brandon Crouser, president of the organization. State Sen. Ryan Aument will be present at the dedication ceremony, which will take place at 11 a.m.

For more information about the DFCA or to help with the derby, contact Crouser at 717-538-4370.