A nationwide movement to help get children and families connected to the outdoors is getting an added boost.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's are donating more than 40,000 rods and reels to nonprofit organizations across the nation to kick off Gone Fishing, which begins June 12.
Local nonprofit K.A.S.T., or Kids Are Special Too, will receive more than 400 rods and reels from the Springfield and Branson Bass Pro Shop location Thursday. K.A.S.T. recipients will also fish with local pro anglers.
Gone Fishing events are slated for June 12-13 and 19-20 for kids of all ages to catch their first fish in the catch-and-release ponds.