Nature deficit & screen time
Half of U.S. teens log four or more hours of daily non-school screen time. Those hours track with higher rates of depression and anxiety. This coast is the antidote sitting in their zip code.
About
Empowering the Next Generation of Coastal Stewards
Coastal Teen Anglers, Inc. is a Jupiter 501(c)(3) serving middle and high school students across the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach region. Determination letter received July 2026.
The origin
Started here, for here.
Dillon Roberts launched Coastal Teen Anglers from Jupiter because coastal Florida youth are more connected to screens than to the Loxahatchee sitting in their zip code — while drowning remains a leading cause of death for children in this state.
The fix is not another indoor program. It is licensed captains, firefighter-paramedics, and marine educators — monthly sessions, educational tournaments, and a standing invitation to every middle and high school student who wants on the water.
The community need
Water safety gaps
Florida has one of the highest child drowning rates in the country. Many families never get formal water-safety education. We teach it with working firefighter-paramedics.
Classroom science isn’t enough
The snook, tarpon, jacks, and many other species are right here at Jupiter Inlet and the Loxahatchee. Most middle and high school students have never had supervised, hands-on time with them.
Leadership
Dillon Roberts, Founder & Program Director
Licensed paramedic-firefighter with 12+ years at Martin County Fire Rescue and as a community paramedic across Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties. Lifelong local angler and father building outdoor education for Treasure Coast teens.
Instagram: @coastalteenanglers · @drob1693
Year 1 team: program director, marine biology educators, certified first aid/CPR instructors, background-checked volunteers, and licensed captains for every on-water day. We are recruiting independent board members in marine education, youth development, finance, conservation, and local business.
How we keep it safe
Ratios we do not break
Indoor 1:10. Shore-based field 1:6. On the water: one licensed captain plus one additional adult per vessel.
Adults are screened
Every adult with direct student contact completes Level 2 (or equivalent) background screening before they work with teens.
Medical coverage on site
At least one CPR- and first-aid-certified adult at every session. The program director is a licensed paramedic-firefighter.
On-water, a captain is in charge
Coast Guard-approved PFDs, worn correctly. Licensed captains have final say on the vessel. No free swimming in the standard program.
Built to be copied.
Coastal Teen Anglers is developing a replicable model so other coastal communities can launch similar programs. Core safety and learning outcomes stay standardized; local species and sites can be adapted.
We partner with schools, FWC, Florida Oceanographic, marinas and tackle shops, EMS and fire departments, Boys & Girls Clubs, 4-H, and scouting.