Baby Chinook Program & Other Non-Profit Activities

The Grand Haven Offshore Challenge is not just about fishing tournaments. Since we received our 501(c)(3) recognizing us by the IRS as a charitable organization in 2001, we have been able to put many other exciting programs into place.

Baby Chinook Program

The Grand Haven Offshore Challenge supports local schools with the Baby Chinook Program. The program is set up for students to be able to raise baby salmon right in the classrooms. The fingerling salmon are released Spring. The program is a great learning experience for all involved.

Schools Involved:

Tim Olson-West Ottawa Public Schools
Craig Kingma-Harbor Lights MIddle School- Holland
Anamie Occhipinti- Harbor Lights Middle School- Holland
Robert Whipkey- White Pines Middle School
Robert DeBruyn- White Pines Middle School Grand Haven
Jon Selbig Oakview Elementary School Muskegon (teacher is Andy Bos)
Lori Veurink Mona Shores Junior High School- Muskegon

Baby Chinook Webcams

Tim Olson : Macatwa Bay Middle School Teacher "I am a 6th grade science teacher at Macatawa Bay Middle School at West Ottawa. I have been raising salmon for 5 years now. This has been one of the most enjoyable activities that I do in my classroom for students and myself. There is no better way to study the life cycle of the salmon than to experience their daily growth from egg to fry. Our students have become an active part of the salmon ecosystem in our great lakes."
-Tim Olson : Macatwa Bay Middle School Teacher

Craig Kingma : 6th class at Macatawa Bay Middle School "Everyday, in every class, there are students crowded around the tank to see how the salmon have changed. I teach 6th grade at Macatawa Bay M.S. in West Ottawa and this is the first year I have had salmon in the classroom. What a great way to learn about life cycles, habitat, food webs, watersheds, and our responsibility in all those. Thanks!"
-Craig Kingma : Macatawa Bay Middle School

"I am a teacher at Harbor Lights Middle School. I am excited to be a part of the Baby Chinook Program for the second time this year. My students have really taken an interest in the salmon, their life cycle, and the salmon's place/role in the environment of Michigan. Having the salmon right in our own classroom is a unique experience that students will remember for years. Thank you for giving us this one of a kind opportunity to become familiar with salmon!"
-Anamie Occhipinti : Harbor Lights Middle School Science Teacher

"It is so exciting to bring the Salmon in the Classroom program to Mona Shores Middle School Library Media Center. We have nearly 1,000 students who can observe the tank every day. This hands-on learning program allows the students to learn about the lifecycle and habitat of salmon; the importance of a balanced ecosystem and conservation; and how to be good stewards of our natural resources."
-Lori Veurink : Mona Shores Middle School

Jon Selbig : Oakview Elementary School Muskegon "I am doing my year-long student teaching internship in the Muskegon Public School District this year. I have been lucky enough to witness many of the previous salmon in the classroom spring releases, near the boat at Chinook Pier, and it is truly a great sight to see! Therefore, I thought this would be a fantastic program to bring to Muskegon Public Schools and Oakview Elementary School. My cooperating teacher, Andy Bos, thought it was a great idea and was a full supporter of the program from day one. We are extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to participate in such a fantastic program and plan to involve all 500 plus Oakview students in a life-long study of the Chinook Salmon until their release into Lake Michigan in the spring. Nothing is comparable to learning about life cycles than first-hand!!!"
-Jon Selbig : Oakview Elementary School Muskegon

Grand Haven Net Pen Project

The Grand Haven Offshore Challenge contributes yearly to the net pen fund held by the Grand Haven Steelheaders. This fund is used to cover all costs for the net pen project.

The Grand Haven Net Pen Project was begun over 20 years ago.

In the spring the Fisheries Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 'plants' Chinook Salmon fingerlings at selected sites.

The Fisheries Division also works with the Grand Haven and Grand Rapids Steelheaders to rear young Chinook Salmon in net pens. The fish are held in the pens for 3-4 weeks, during that period being fed three times a day by volunteers. When the fish smolt and lose their parr marks (vertical bars) they are released into the Grand River for their journey to Lake Michigan.

Net Pen Project According to DNR data, fish raised in net pens have a higher survival rate then those released directly into the river. Net pen rearing also enables the fish to imprint on the river they are released into, increasing their chance of returning to the river in three years.

The Grand Haven Steelheaders would like to thank the Grand Rapids Steelheaders, the Grand Haven Charter Boat Association, the Grand Haven OffShore Challenge, the Michigan DNR and the City of Grand Haven for their generous donations to this project. Many local businesses have assisted us with donations of materials and labor. Many of our members and nonmembers have put in hours of labor for our project.

Scholarship Program

The Grand Haven Offshore Challenge teamed up with the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation to produce the Grand Haven Offshore Challenge Scholarship Fund. This award is presented to a graduating High School senior from the Tri-Cities who wishes to pursue a career in natural resources, such as fisheries, wildlife, and environmental water quality at any public or private college or university.

2005 Recipients:
David Baisch - Grand Valley State University
Brand Hansen - Michigan Technological University

2004 Recipient:
Lisa Beranek - Grand Valley State University

Yearly Donations

The Grand Haven Offshore Challenge actively donates to the local community. Here are some examples:

$1000 to the North Ottawa Area Hospice
Fish donation to Teen Challenge
Donation to the Grand Haven Steelheaders Net Pen Project
Donation to the Nature Center at P.J Hoffmaster State Park