Allendale Cardboard Boat Race
Allendale Association's Cardboard Boat Race is an event that encourages creative problem solving, teamwork, and sportsmanship and it's always a seasonal highlight for the children of Allendale, a residential facility for troubled youth located in Lake Villa. This year's race, held on July 23rd, was even more exciting than usual because of the innovative designs and the enthusiasm of the kids.
The race consisted of children from each of 11 residential buildings constructing a seaworthy vessel from pieces of cardboard, two hallow cardboard carpet tubes, duct tape and paint. Once the boats are built, two kids in each boat attempt to race across a designated course on Cedar Lake. Three additional students carry each boat to launch and assist their peers into the boat and the rest cheer from the shore. The boats start shredding and sinking almost immediately so there was a lot of good natured laughter.
Many of the children's first response to the boat building process is "you want us to do what with the cardboard and duct tape!" But by the time the boat building is done they are all excited and motivated to see how far their boat will float!
"It's so important to encourage young people to aim for success and always bring their A game," said Allendale's president, Mary Shahbazian. "Allendale's Cardboard Boat Race reinforces teamwork principles in a highly enjoyable (and wet) way."
Program Manager of Therapeutic Recreation Emily Marino remarks, "The objective of the summer program is to develop unity and help kids learn to win and lose with grace and respect. Students are encouraged to support one another, while engaging in friendly, healthy competition and having fun." Mission accomplished!
Founded in 1897, the Allendale Association is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to excellence and innovation in care, treatment, education and advocacy for troubled youth and their families. Today's continuum of care includes Residential and Day Treatment services that include Specialized Education and Counseling Services, Outpatient counseling and foster care. Programs and services reach children with a broad range of moderate to profound emotional, behavioral, and learning difficulties and challenges with a continuum of care. Currently, the Allendale Association serves over 1,400 children, adolescents, young adults and families in need annually. For more information about the Allendale Association, please visit www.allendale4kids.org or call 847-356-2351.