The Junior Mates Program, sponsored by the Beach Haven Charter fishing Association, will be returning to an old home this year. The Beach Haven Maritime Museum, located at 528 Dock Road in Beach Haven, will once again be housing the Junior Mates sessions this summer.
After many years of productive learning sessions at the Museum, classes were moved to open air areas at the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna club due to the onset of the Covid crisis.
The atmosphere of the Museum, with its extensive displays of boating and fishing history in the area, will help to enhance the learning process.
Registration for the Junior Mates is still open with complete details available at www.BHCFA.com. Youngsters who are 13 years of age by August 1, 2026, are welcome to enroll in tis heralded course. The first session this year will begin on Thursday, June 25 and conclude on August 21 with a fishing tournament.
The learning experiences for Junior Mates combine classroom and hands-on experiences with association captains performing most classroom duties supplemented by outside speakers. Outdoor firsthand instruction will occur across the street from the Museum at the Beach Haven Yacht Club.
While the Junior Mates program was designed to produce fishing mates for the boats of the BHCFA, it is also a valuable way for youngsters to learn about fishing and boating from the pros. There is no requirement to serve as a true professional mate when taking the course.