It's smooth sailing for Troop 209's Cardboard Regatta

Boy Scout Troop 209 held its third annual Cardboard Regatta June 3 at the Family Aquatic Center in Community Park, corner of Northwest Highway and Palatine Road, Palatine.

The creative boats were constructed entirely by the Scouts of Troop 209, who range in age from 11 to 18 years old. They are allowed to use only cardboard and duct tape to create the boats, although Senior Patrol Leader Gage Bachmann, who was in charge of organizing and leading the event, allowed the limited use of PVC pipe this year in the hopes of inspiring even more creativity.

In Boy Scouts of America, Scout troops are divided up into smaller groups called patrols, who each have a Scout who is the patrol leader. Patrol leaders were charged with having separate meetings to design and create these boats in the weeks leading up to the race. The race had entries from 10 individual patrols.

Also at this year's event, Cub Scouts who range in age from 6 to 11 years old from Pack 209 were invited to attend as well. The dens from Pack 209 created three more boats and competed for best design and in the race. They competed in their own separate division, then the winner went on to compete against the older Scouts from the troop.

The adult Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters form their own patrol, the "Silverbacks," and enter one boat in the race each year as well. Despite their efforts and experience, they were beat early in the first heat by the younger Scouts. In all, there were 14 boats competing.

Numerous awards were earned for boat design, race winners and even for best costume. The Fastest Cub Scout Boat was won by "Subnautica," the Fastest Overall Award went to the Roadrunner Patrol, the Most Visually Appealing Award went to the Lioness Patrol, the Least Visually Appealing Award went to the Roadrunner Patrol.

This annual event was started more than two years ago by then Senior Patrol Leader Vince Lobo, who came up with the idea and organized the first event in its entirety. Lobo went on to earn Eagle Scout and is now in college.

Last year's race was held at Eagle Pool, also in Palatine, but it was so well attended, that the overcrowding inspired the troop to move the race to the much larger Family Aquatic Center.

Troop 209 has been serving Palatine families and the community for more than 55 years. They are sponsored by the Men's Club of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Palatine, corner of Wood Street and Plum Grove Road.

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