IGFAs objectives are founded on the beliefs that game fish species, related food fish, and their habitats are economic, social, recreational, and aesthetic assets which must be maintained, wisely used and perpetuated; and that the sport of angling is an important recreational, economic, and social activity which the public must be educated to pursue in a manner consistent with sound sporting and conservation practices.
Our exhibit galleries and educational programs offer you and your students the opportunity to discover your own essence of fishing. The IGFA is recognized as a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in partnership with Coastal America. Science labs are conducted for all grade levels and meet the FCAT and Florida Sunshine State Standards. IGFA is Broward County School Board approved field trip site under the Arts and Science Supplement Grant. Schools and groups of 15 or more are welcomed to the IGFA at a discounted price. We offer Teacher Open Houses and Workshops to provide training for the educators to assist the students in their educational experience. We also provide qualified staff to instruct the programs. Our variety of activities and programs will allow you to choose which program best fits your goals and objectives:
Group Visits
Field Trips
Educational Programs
Birthday Parties
Camp Programs
Teacher Programs
Special Programs
Scout Programs>
Be sure to check out our Upcoming Events and Promotions!
The IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum captures the thrill of sportfishing with hands-on exhibits and virtual reality fishing, featuring fun for the whole family. This 60,000 square foot world-class museum includes four acres of wetlands with live alligators, six different galleries, the E.K. Harry Library of Fishes and a Hall of Fame. The IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum is the organization that sets the standards and rules for ethical sport fishing. This exciting fishing museum was designed to:
Tell the story and celebrate the history of fishing and of the IGFA
Pay tribute to the legacy of sportfishing pioneers and greats
Display the science and artistry of this important international sport
Interest the public in pursuing the sport of fishing locally and worldwide
Most importantly, promote ethical angling and habitat conservation worldwide
The IGFA brings the sport of fishing to life. Our programs foster the lifelong pursuit of understanding, advocacy and action on behalf of the worlds fish populations and aquatic habitats. We want anglers and non-anglers to experience the nature of fishing from the behaviors and habitats of fish and to the technology of tackle to the thrill of the catch; from the history of the sport and great anglers and enthusiasts, to the worlds best fishing spots. This museum provides the worlds most comprehensive assemblage of sportfishing information, exhibits, educational classes, fishing demonstrations, interactive displays and virtual reality fishing.
Educational Programs
With the worldwide systematic decline of many fish species, conservation and education have become important priorities for IGFA and environmentalists throughout the world. To help with this global mission, programs are available at IGFA, but can also be brought to your classroom as the Jr. Angler/Education Outreach Program!* Programs are available Monday through Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and are offered to teachers, scouts, and anyone who has a group of 20 or more. Each program is one hour long and is limited to a maximum of 30 children. Multiple programs can be done in one day, larger groups may be accommodated with multiple visits. All programs at the IGFA include a self-guided visit. IGFA Certified Teachers receive a discounted price! Each program meets requirements for Florida's science and language arts Sunshine State Standards (SSS). The Arts and Science Supplement Grant is available for all Broward County public elementary and middle schools along with alternative/exceptional centers. Please check with your principal.
In the Adaptation lab, students will learn how morphology affects the life of a fish. The body, tail, mouth and scale shapes all contribute to where a fish lives and how they eat.
With the Enviroscape, students become members of a coastal communtiy where they learn how pollution affects the watershed. Students learn how the aquifer of South Florida cleans their drinking water. (This lab is in combination with Touch Tank or Fish Printing)
The Fishing Clinic 1 program is a great way to introduce eithical angling, fishing rules and regulations, angling safety, fishing equipment and much more! (SSS not available)
The Fishing Clinic 2 program incorporates information learned in Fishing Clinic 1, but also includes fishing in IGFA's front ponds - equipment and bait provided!*(SSS not available)
The Fish Play is a great way to teach young children the importance of various habitats and how the shape of the fish determines the type of environment it can live in. Select students wear costumes and have scripts just like in a real play!
Students who do Fish Printing, or as the Japanese call it, Gyotaku (guh-yo-tah-koo), learn the external morphology of a fish and construct an original piece of art to take home! (This lab is in combination with Fish Play or Enviroscape)
In the Pollution lab, students become scientists whose primary job is to find the quickest, most inexpensive and thorough way to clean up pollution. Scientists will learn to hypothesize and using ordinary objects, clean up an oil spill.
The Touch Tank will introduce students to the three main habitats off the coast of South Florida. Models depicting mangroves, sea grasses and coral freefs are used to teach the importance of these framile ecostystems and that orgnaisms depend on them for protection and as food sources. Students will have the opportunity to gently touch and hold organisms commonly found in these three habitats. (This lab is in combination with Enviroscape or Fish Printing)
In the Water Chemistry lab, students will perform water-quality tests and learn how these parameters affect aquatic life. Using a microscope, students will observe and identify invertebrates from our wetland's waters.
* Fishing Clinic 2 can not be done as a Jr. Angler/Education Outreach Program.
Birthday Parties available for children turning ages 3- 6!
Birthdays are to celebrate the coming of a new age and another year to come. At IGFA, a birthday party is that and more. While celebrating a birthday, children will either learn the safety of fishing and practice catch and release while trying to catch a fish themselves; or they will learn the importance of wetlands, especially the Everglades, and while walking through the wetlands they will identify birds, reptiles, fish, insects and plants. Parties teach children conservation either through fishing or environmental biology.
Birthday Package Includes:
Choice of Fishing or Wetlands Party*
Personal party and activity coordinator for the duration of the party
Admission to IGFA and all exhibits
Invitations
Fun activities
Party decorations and table settings
Carvel birthday cake ( vanilla, chocolate)
Lunch includes: Dominos pizza & beverage OR Subway sandwiches, potato chips & beverage for each guest
Souvenir photo of birthday child with world record size fish
Junior Angler Club membership and T-shirt for the birthday child
Party favors for every child at the party
Guaranteed Fun!
Parties are on Saturdays and Sundays** 11:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. 5:30 p.m. in the Learning Center. Parties are available for children ages 3- 13. The cost for the party is $350, and includes everything for up to 15 guests (birthday child and parents are not included in number of guests). The cost for each additional guest is $15. The maximum number of guest for one party is 30. Guests include adults and children over 3 years of age. A non-refundable $150 deposit is required when reservations are made. Reservations must be made at least 3 weeks prior to party date.
*Fishing parties are only available for children turning 7 - 13 years of age.
**Parties are available during the week upon request.
International Game Fish Association300 Gulf Stream Way
Dania Beach, FL 33004
Map954-927-2628
www.IGFA.org
