August 5, 2016 at 4:47 p.m.
Ahoy!
Campers cheer counselors to victory in Y cardboard boat race
Ahoy!
By Kayla Thomason-
Cheered on by their young charges, YMCA of the Northwoods camp counselors leaped into Boom Lake Wednesday for the third annual YMCA Summer Camp Cardboard Boat Race.
With the temperature a steamy 89 degrees at race time, adults and campers alike were eager for a dip in the lake.
Those racing were the first to take the plunge as they lined up on the dock with their boats, waiting for the signal.
At the appointed moment, they leaped into the refreshing water. Boats quickly turned soggy, however. Some counselors gathered floppy bits of boat and carried them through the water, trying to make sure they didn't lose parts, as crossing the line without the entire boat would result in disqualification.
Crossing the line first was counselor Gabbe Millot followed by fellow counselor Nathan Erickson and Abbie Cline, school-age child care director at the YMCA of the Northwoods.
"The kids love (the cardboard boat races)," said Cline.
The children worked on the boats a week ahead of time, she said.
"They (were) separated into teams (and) then they (had) to pick a counselor that they wanted to represent their team and they built a boat for their counselor," Cline said, adding that the dip in the lake was "very refreshing, especially on a day like this."
Owen Mansavage, second-year camper and a member of Millot's team, was happy they won.
"We felt good after (the race) because a lot of people kept laughing at ours because our boat was so small, but that was like the biggest piece of cardboard that we got to build our boat," he said.
He liked being able to work with others to make their lightweight boat.
"It's fun because I think it gives you the opportunity to work with a team," Owen said.
He said he believed in Millot because she did well in last year's race.
"We chose Gabbe because last year Gabbe was so close to winning but she dropped one piece of cardboard," he said. "So this year we just built a boat better than last year."
Brianna Oettinger was on Cline's team.
She and her group sat in a circle and discussed who their counselor should be. They unanimously chose Cline.
"I like (the event) and it's fun because I like the part when they race and the boats sink and I like (that) the losers get pie in their face," Oettinger said.
Rowyan Fiszer, a third-time camper, was also on Cline's team.
Her favorite part of the day was when the boats sank and people got pies smushed in the faces.
"(I'm) really happy (we placed) because last year we took either first place or second, so it was a lot different," she said.
She also liked the face painting and swimming.
"It's really fun (swimming) because we sat there and now we get to cool off," she said, adding that she likes "all the counselors and the activities."
The cardboard boat races started over 3,000 miles away when Cline's first camp in Alaska - Campfire USA - held a cardboard boat race as a final farewell. When she came to the YMCA of the Northwoods, Cline suggested the race and it has been popular with children.
The Y Summer Camp was at capacity with 85 children and had others on the waiting list. The camp runs from school's end to summer's end. The counselors said they try to make camp an amazing experience for the children.
Cline encouraged others to check it out.
"Because it's at the park, I invite everybody to come down and see the silliness and the antics that the kids and the counselors are up to," she said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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