BREMERTON — Kids get a chance to learn a new outdoor activity April 23 when the Kitsap Poggie Club holds its 68th annual Kid’s Fishing Party.

A free event, parents are encouraged to bring their children ages 5 to 14 out to Jarstad Park to fish for rainbow trout provided by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The free party will be form 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Bremerton’s Forestry Division Compound at 4398 West Belfair Valley Road, about a quarter-mile west of Jarstad Park; just follow the signs at the entrance gate to the available parking.

“It’s just one of our efforts to get kids outdoors,” said Louie Morten, Poggie Club treasurer. “The community gets involved and, having the kids outdoors, doing this recreational activity, it just appeals to a lot of people.”

The Kitsap Poggie Club provides rods, tackle and bait to use during the event if kids don’t already have their own, as well as providing free fish cleaning on-site. Morten said children younger than 5 may participate, but parental supervision is required, though “the kids need to do the fishing,” according to the press release.

“It appeals across the broad spectrum of the community,” Morten said. “In any one year, we get between about 500 and 700, and we do get many repeat kids who show up.”

Also provided are hot chocolate, coffee, pastries and other refreshments for anyone who attends.

Morten said that events like this are important to help encourage outdoor activity.

“This electronic world we’re in, we’re so focused on all those electronic toys … this gives us a breath of fresh air, gets us outside and communicating with people,” Morten said.

“It’s absolutely free. All you have to do is show up with your child and enjoy a good time.”

The Kitsap Poggie Club is a 501(c)(7) nonprofit Sportsman Club. They provide wholesome, outdoor family recreation as an alternative to the busy electronic world. Other projects of the Poggie Club include raising 1.8 million salmon at the Gorst Rearing Facilities at Jarstad Park; supporting the Suquamish Nation’s local fish hatchery; a booth at the Kitsap Water Festival to help teach fourth-graders the importance of clean water; and the “Salmon in the CLassroom” projects at Sunnyslope and South Colby elementary schools in Port Orchard. The Kitsap Poggie Club also provides four scholarships for young people to attend the Sportsman Conservation Camp on Orcas Island.

To learn more about the Kitsap Poggie Club or the Kid’s Fishing Party, visit www.kitsappoggieclub.com.