Cardboard Boat Regatta

May 10th

Set Sail Across the South Lake!

Our Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta will take place on Sat., May 10, 2025. Start making your plans now for this exciting race on the South Lake at Discovery Park. This is a great way for STEM/STEAM clubs, students, businesses and more to sharpen skills in designing and building boats for the ultimate test in the water. All Scouts in uniform receive FREE admission. Scouts are also invited to camp out at our two-night Scout Weekend event from Friday, May 9-Sunday, May 11.

Boats can only be made out of cardboard and duct tape – nothing more. Need inspiration? Check out this video from a few years ago and a list of Do’s and Dont’s to consider while building your boat.

Free cardboard will be available to be picked up at Discovery Park. Please email John Watkins at jwatkins@discoveryparkofamerica.flywheelstaging.com to schedule a time for pickup.

The Cardboard Boat Regatta is FREE for all spectators. Guests should enter at the Train Depot gate.

Registration

Registration is free for student teams (ages 12-18).

Registration for all other teams (adults and adult/youth) is $25 through May 3, 2025, and $35 from May 4, 2025, until race day.

Instant Cardboard Boat Regatta

In addition to the adult and youth race, there will also be an instant cardboard boat regatta where teams build their boats on-site the day of. This event is designed for those who want to challenge themselves with a same-day build in addition to their regular boat or for those who prefer to compete without the time commitment of designing a boat beforehand. Teams will have from 9-10:30 a.m. to complete their boat before the captain’s meeting.

The Instant Cardboard Boat Regatta registration fee is $15 if you are not part of a student team and will not participate in any other category.  

Only materials provided by Discovery Park may be used to complete the build, including:

  • Cardboard
  • Box cutters
  • Duct tape
  • Plastic wrap
Click Here to Register

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8:30 a.m. –  Check-in/Registration
9 a.m. – Inspections begin/Building instant cardboard boats
10:30 a.m. –  Captains’ meeting
11 a.m. –  Races begin

Divisions

Youth

Adult

Instant

Award Categories

1st, 2nd and 3rd place – both youth and adult divisions

Titanic Award – Most Spectacular Sinking in youth and adult divisions

Van Gogh Award – Most Creative Boats in youth and adult divisions

All Hands on Deck Award – Most Team Spirit in youth and adult divisions

President’s Choice Award – High Level of Distinction

MacGyver Award – Winner of the Instant Cardboard Boat Regatta

*Participants will be able to compete in their appropriate division as well as the Instant Cardboard Boat Regatta

*Participants aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older

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