cody beckett 560Cody (left) and Beckett proudly showed off their cardboard boat creations that they made at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre (BCM&CC) July 25.

Hub Staff

Young Mateys took part in a guide to cardboard boat building at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre (BCM&CC) on July 25, ahead of the Bruce Telecom Cardboard Boat Race to take place July 29 at the Marine Heritage Festival in Southampton.

Marine Heritage Volunteer Rob Campbell instructed the young boat enthusiasts on how to create a cardboard boat that would float and was even joined by infamous pirate Captain Wayne Sparrow. “We decided to put this on because the Museum is a wonderful sponsor of our boat races and this is a great time to get kids interested in the races,” said Campbell. “We’ve made about 50 boats so far,” he said.

“Some kids make one, some make two and they try to sink them by loading them with marbles and the winner is the one who holds the most marbles,” he explained.

Following their task, participants then assisted Museum Program Coordinator Adrienne Mason with the BCM&CC cardboard boat entry. Although his boat sank during last year’s race, he did have some tips for last minute builders. “Just get lots of tape and have fun because whether it sails or sinks, it’s a great day.”

For people who want to have fun on the water but without the risk of getting wet, there is a Big Canoe Challenge sponsored by the MS Chi-Cheemaun that takes place during Saturday’s festivities in Southampton’s Pioneer Park. Teams of four will take part in a canoe tug-a-war battle.

cole anderson 560Cole (left) and Anderson knew that duct tape would make their boats stay afloat July 25 at the BCM&CC.

marbles 560Some participants’ boats held over 50 marbles, while others claimed their boat held 101.

captain wayne sparrow 560Infamous Pirate, Captain Wayne Sparrow, assisted the participants during the cardboard boat building and even handed out gold to some boat builders.

adrienne mason 560Adrienne Mason’s BCM&CC’s cardboard boat entry.

tape 560Six year-old Beckett helped Mason tape the insides of the museum’s boat, then coloured it for good luck.