The Central Plains Cancer Services' Kids Can Cope Program partnered with the Portage Wildlife Club this past Saturday for a day of ice fishing.

CPCS Executive Director Sharilyn Knox explains the Kids Can Cope Program is designed to teach resiliency to kids whose lives have been affected by cancer, through engaging in fun and meaningful activities. She comments on the inspiration for the ice fishing activity.

"Ice fishing is something fun and new and we thought why not partner with a great group like Portage Wildlife Club and teach some of these kids a skill that they didn't know."

Aiden Woodward was one of the participants at Saturday's outing; he says he enjoyed it and learned some new things. He adds his favourite part was exploring. 

Aiden Woodward

Portage Wildlife Club Vice-President Drew McRae explains Knox organized the outing and the Wildlife Club helped set things up in the morning so everything was ready when the kids arrived. He comments on the day.

"I think it turned out fairly good. I don't think we had as many kids as we hoped we might have but I think they had a good time."

He notes there was a lack of fish with only one being caught all day, but the kids were excited when they reeled the pike in.

McRae says the Wildlife Club would like to partner with Central Plains Cancer Services for more events in the future.

Knox notes it was great having the support from the Wildlife Club who helped set things up, as well as MacDonald's Sporting Goods who donated the bait and provided a deal on the rods.

The ice fishing trip was originally planned to take place a few weeks back however had to be postponed due to the weather. Knox explains it was good to be able to still hold the event but notes their numbers dropped from 19 kids to only eight because of spring break. However, she says it's nonetheless a great start for planning for next year as they'd like to make the ice fishing trip an annual event.