Youth Scholarship Program
Conservation Focused Leaders of Tomorrow.
The CCA Florida Fred Crabill Youth Scholarship Program presented by Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program
The Fred Crabill Youth Scholarship Program (Y.S.P.) is a five-day educational experience for Florida High School students. Selected students will tour marine facilities, meet with fishing industry leaders, prepare and present speeches, and more all while competing for college scholarships. After the program’s completion, the Y.S.P. graduates have the opportunity to compete for the Grand Scholarship by starting CCA programs in their own communities.
Applications OPEN FEBRUARY 11, 2026
Applications Must Be Submitted by May 1, 2026
Program Starts Sunday, June 14 and Ends June 18, 2026
Program Participants have 10 Months to Compete for the Grand Scholarship by Introducing CCA Florida Programs into Their Communities
Apply Now
Applications and supporting documents are to be submitted in ONE document to Jimmy Michaels, Program Director by May 1, 2026 at 5 p.m. via email, ysp@ccaflorida.org
Do you have more questions not answered here? Contact Jimmy Michaels.
FAQs
The CCA Florida Y.S.P. is an opportunity for Florida High School Students to earn college scholarships. Students will compete throughout the week, and scholarships will be awarded based on merit, attention, focus, creativity, speeches and more.
Students will travel to Orlando, Fla. for a five-day experience unlike any other. Students will tour the CCA office, meet industry professionals, participate in habitat projects, visit with special guests and so much more! Hotels, meals and transportation during the program are included. Parents/students are responsible for transportation to and from Orlando.
After the conclusion of the program, all participants are encouraged to start/engage in CCA Florida programs in their own communities. They have 10 months to creatively participate in enhancing and protecting Florida’s marine resources. Students will then submit a portfolio of their grassroots efforts for a chance to win the Grand Scholarship!
- Tour Duke Energy Mariculture Center in Crystal River
- Take a Fishing Trip
- Swim in Florida Springs
- Prepare and Present Speeches
- Visit the CCA Florida Office
- CCA Florida Presentations
- Visits from Special Guests
- Visit Biology Labs
- Visit Orlando Attractions
- Scholarship Awards
- Banquet Dinner, and more!
- You must be a current sophomore or junior in high school. (accepted applicants will attend the Y.S.P. the summer before his or her junior or senior year)
- Must be a Florida Resident
- Be in Good Academic Standing
- Be a CCA Florida (Youth) Member. Youth Memberships are $10 and can be purchased at JOINCCA.org
- Ability to Travel to Orlando and stay from June 14 through June 18, 2026
10 students will be selected for the 2026 program.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance status in early May 2026. The student and his or her parent will be contacted via email regarding application status.
Print out the application, fill it out and email the application and supporting documents to Jimmy Michaels, Youth Scholarship Program Director, at YSP@ccaflorida.org.
The application process is highly competitive and consists of an application form, one-page essay, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.
Yes. Youth Memberships (ages 6-17) are $10 and can be purchased by visiting JOINCCA.org.
The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to tell us about yourself. What do you like to do for fun, where do you like to fish, what is your favorite outdoor memory? The Personal Statement is only one paragraph, so make sure you communicate yourself effectively.
- Students will have multiple scholarship opportunities
- Informative tours
- Meet several industry leaders
- Development of academic skills such as leadership, public speaking and debating
- Increased awareness and appreciation of recreational fishing, fisheries management, advocacy issues and the work CCA Florida does on behalf of recreational fisherman
- Chances to meet and network with new people from across the state and build friendships
- Visiting the CCA Florida headquarters and hearing from various department heads
- An introduction to fishing, habitat restoration, the fishing industry and more
- Most applicants have strong interests in Florida’s marine environment. We are looking for a broad variety of personal backgrounds and experiences. If you qualify, we encourage you to apply!
- Although prior experience of fishing is a common characteristic in many applicants, it is not required to get into the program. Applicants are judged on GPA, well-roundedness of activities, their one-page essay and Personal Statement, as well as recommendations.
- The Y.S.P. is all-expense paid experience; the costs for meals, hotel, supplies, etc. are covered by CCA Florida and its donors. Students and/or parents are required to pay their own travel expenses to and from Orlando. Students are encouraged to bring extra cash for souvenirs, phone cards, emergency money while traveling etc.
Funding for the Youth Scholarship Program comes from individual donations, corporate donations and grants. We want to send a very special THANK YOU to the donors who have contributed money to this program!
Yes, there will always be at least two chaperones assisting students at all times during the program. Many chaperones during the program will only spend one or two days with the students before switching with another chaperone.
Once selected, the students will receive all necessary information regarding the program guidelines, scholarship criteria, packing list, etc. to be signed by both the student and a parent/guardian.
Once the Y.S.P. is complete, participants have 10 months to compete for the CCA Y.S.P. Grand Scholarship by introducing CCA Florida programs into their communities and creating a portfolio summarizing the experience. Entries can include starting a fishing club, hosting coastal cleanups, creating fundraisers, building an artificial reef, creating art from coastal debris, speaking about their CCA Florida experience at events, getting involved in advocacy groups, starting a recycling program, planning a kids’ fishing clinic, and MORE! The possibilities are endless.
Students will then put together a portfolio of the grassroots efforts he or she has completed over the last 10 months and one (1) winner will be selected to win the Grand Scholarship! All 10 participants are eligible for this award, even if they did not win an end of week scholarship during the program.