On Saturday, August 16, the North Carolina & Coastal Piedmont Chapter of ACBS coordinated a Sea Scouts weekend of camping and leadership education in conjunction with International Vintage Boating Day. Five captains from the NCC&P and the Blue Ridge Chapters brought their four boats to Lake Norman. Rob Weller (NCC&P and BRC Chapter) came with 1963 21-foot Lyman, Tim & Christy Doering (NCC&P Chapter) brought their 1994 27-foot Grady-White from Lake Wylie, Jim Barrick (BRC Chapter) came with 1956 18-foot Shepherd Runabout, and Randy Vogel (NCC&P and BRC Chapters) brought their 1950 22-foot Chris-Craft U-22.
The Scouts had camped the night before at the private lakefront residence of their hosts, and after the four boats arrived and were tied up at the dock on Saturday, the Scouts performed Coast Guard Vessel Safety checks on all the boats before the cruise (all passed!) The Scout Leaders and Scouts divided up into the four boats, and we cruised north on Lake Norman under the Highway 150 bridge, deep into a number of big coves, and then through the Lake Norman State Park before heading back to the dock for lunch. The weather and boating conditions were great, and the scenery was wonderful!
Many of the Scouts had never seen beautiful vintage boats like these, and the rides and the experience were much appreciated by the Scouts and Leaders alike. The event was rewarding and fun for the Captains too, and we hope to be able to plan additional maritime activities with this Sea Scout Ship in the future.