Toys for Tots Launches Outdoor Adventures Initiative for Kids

June marks the start of summer—a season defined by adventure, exploration, and the simple joys of childhood. June also highlights National Fishing Week, celebrated June 6-14, making it the perfect time for Marine Toys for Tots to champion outdoor play through its Give and Go: Outdoor Adventures Start with You initiative. Building on meaningful experiences that connect children with nature, the initiative helps children discover the confidence, curiosity, and joy that come from spending time outdoors.

In support of this initiative and in the spirit of National Fishing Week, Toys for Tots partnered with local Toys for Tots Coordinator Gina Capate to host a hands-on fishing event in Maple Shade, New Jersey—giving foster children a chance to connect with nature in a fun, supportive setting. On a warm morning, 24 local foster children gathered by the water, not only to learn how to fish, but to experience something deeper: a sense of belonging. Alongside volunteers, local leaders, and law enforcement officers—many of whom personally invited and mentored the children—they practiced patience, teamwork, and resilience. What organizers fondly referred to as the “Cops and Boppers” event became more than recreation—it was a powerful example of how relationships and trust are built through shared, positive experiences. Each child left with a fishing pole and a bag of their own, but also with an enduring feeling that their community sees them, values them, and is willing to invest in their happiness.

“This fishing event was about more than spending time on the water—it was about creating moments where children feel supported, encouraged, and included,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity to spark confidence that can last a lifetime.” For millions of underserved children, access to these opportunities is far less certain, but no less important. Safe outdoor play, educational toys, and enriching books are not always within reach. Through Give and Go: Outdoor Adventures Start with You, donations are transformed into fishing poles that teach new skills, soccer balls that spark a new hobby, books that ignite curiosity about the world, or games that encourage creativity and problem-solving. Your generosity helps ensure that moments like this aren’t the exception—but something all children can count on. To learn more about Toys for Tots and its year-round mission or to donate, visit toysfortots.org.