“Raingutter Regatta” introduces unique Scouting-Auxiliary Cooperation

Loveland, OH - Saturday June 4, 2011 was unusually warm in the Cincinnati suburb of Loveland, OH. But conditions would only get hotter at Dan Beard Council's Camp Friedlander, as Cub Scouts from Pack 464, chartered to Willowville Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), took over the Trailblazer shelter for their annual “Raingutter Regatta” and family picnic.

This time the regatta came with a twist, as members of Division 5, D8-ER, were on-hand to conduct "Vessel Safety Checks" in this nautical equivalent of the more well-known “Pinewoord Derby.”

As each Cub Scout checked in his 7-inch long, breath-propelled, balsa-wood sailing craft, Wade J. Love, Flotilla 53 Cincinnati East, and Thom McQueen, Flotilla 55 Northern Kentucky, ensured the safety mindedness of the 7 to 10 year-old marine architects.

Cubmaster Mike Cooley records the latest entrant in the computer. Next to him, Auxiliarist Wade Love completes the safety check for Webelos Scout Jacob Kleimeyer (closest to camera) while Tiger Cub Dakota Kirker (in uniform) and Wolf Cub Austen Plank (in background) wait their turns for check-in.Photo credit: Thom McQueen

The Scouts utilize an official Boy Scouts of America (BSA) kit, including the balsa wood hull, dowel rod mast, metal keel, and plastic sail and rudder. They then carve, assemble, and decorate the boat with parental help. While partly assisting the Pack's adult leaders to check for illegal modifications (no material may be added to the sail, and no motor of any form), Love and McQueen also promoted the Auxiliary's recreational boating safety message. The theme of the day was "Life Jackets: They Float, You Don't."

"Skipper, are all occupants of your vessel wearing proper lifejackets?" they inquired of each participant, along with other jest-like questions such as "What would you being doing if this vessel were sinking?" or "How would you handle a fire on this boat?"

"Almost all the Scouts caught on quickly, played along, and just ate it up." stated Love, who is also a Unit Commissioner in Scouting. "I especially liked the answer, 'I'd call for help from the Coast Guard.' I had to laugh, it made my day." He went on, "I was impressed with the skill and craftsmanship the Cub Scouts put in these boats, and yes, every one of them was safe!"

The race took place in head-to-head heats on two parallel, 10-ft, vinyl rain gutters, exactly the same as one might have on the roof at home. They held up and secured to saw horses then filled with water. Scouts brought their boats to the starting line two at a time and placed them in the assigned lane. The starter gently held them against the end cap, and then when he lifted his hands, the sailboats zoomed down the course. The rules as explained to the Cub Scouts, "... no hands, no heads, only your bad breath through a straw."

The heat between Alex Forney and Max Barger is neck and neck. Photo credit: Thom McQueen

For some Cub Scouts in their first “Raingutter Regatta,” this event was more of a lesson in the science of sailing than anything else. A few needed time to adjust to the proper position of the straw, their own body, and where to aim, in order to keep the boat moving forward and not tip over. A cry of "THIS JUST AIN'T MAKING ANY SENSE" brought laughter from the assembled parents.

Pack 464 has 51 registered youth, and with 31 boats entered in this year's race, chose to race in divisions; first Tigers (first graders), then Wolves and Bears (2nd and 3rd grade), and finally Webelos (4th and 5th grade). The age-level separation allowed for a more balanced competition. First, second, and third place medallions were awarded in each division at the end of the day.

The importance of the Raingutter Regatta in Cub Scouting clearly came across in interviews with parents and leaders.

"Raingutter Regetta? Well, competition, sportsmanship, and togetherness, man." explained Assistant Cubmaster Russ Bowman. "That's what makes the Pack go. This is my fifth year doing this, and you know what? This is where the parents learn each others' first names, instead of 'Alex's dad,' 'Trey's mom,' etc., etc. That's why I'm such a big fan of the Raingutter Regatta."

Cubmaster Mike Cooley agreed. "It's just fun for everybody to get together so they can meet the other families in the Pack, make new friends, and just have a lot of fun." His wife Dawn Cooley, Pack Committee Chairperson added, "The boys love to make something and then race it."

The Scouts themselves also had a lot to say about why they enjoyed the Raingutter Regatta. Tiger Cub Ian Keeley said that "It's a cool event. It's my speed, something I can do." Webelos Scout Jacob Novick responded, "You get to build stuff. You get to use your imagination, your brains."

As for the presence of the Auxiliary, the response was also very positive. According to Bowman, "I'm glad you guys were here. I'm an engineer by trade, so third-party verification is very important to me, and just the fact that these boys can see other civic and service minded folks that come out and show what else is available, people who are giving their time for a worthy cause. Not everybody wants to come out and do that, and especially if you can have the tie-in. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Raingutter Regatta, that's perfect. I love it, perfect."

Marie Heuberger, whose two sons Dylan and Tyler were in the Regatta, also saw many positives in the Raingutter Regatta and the Auxiliary tie-in. "So far the kids are having a really good time. They're outside, out in the sun. There aren't a whole lot of things out there that teach your kids safety on water, and it's good to do things like that."

Novick described having his boat checked for safety by the Auxiliary as "cool" and "fun."

As a volunteer organization with a goal to educate recreational boaters about safety, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is continually seeking new avenues to and new audiences for its message. The BSA, in sharing the safe boating goal, especially among youth, is a perfect partner in this mission.

"We've had this MOA for two years now, and only a little bit to show for it," explained Love, referring to the Memorandum of Agreement between the national organizations of the Boy Scouts of America and the United States Coast Auxiliary, signed February 2009. "Today was just an experiment, a small flash of inspiration that I can't believe no one has thought of before. But it clearly places one in the win column for the MOA. What started with just one Pack and a couple Flotillas can only go uphill."

McQueen also felt strongly about the need to support Scouting. "As a Public Affairs Officer, I can truly say that this event was a success," he stated. "More of a success than was anticipated on either side. I certainly hope that it continues and more people get involved with it. I will definitely be back and I am looking forward to working with Wade in his efforts with the Scouts."

The cooperative effort was an apparent success: when asked whether he had learned anything from the event, Tiger Cub Tyler Heuberger answered, "That you always have to wear life jackets when you're in a boat."

 

 

 

 

 

~efl 10-15-11