A newly-organized annual service project of Troop 285 (this was our second year to participate) is helping to run the Rubber Duck race for the Albuquerque Rotary Club. Funds raised went to provide remedial education to at-risk children in Albuquerque. And funds were raised! Over 25,000 rubber ducks were "sold" at about $5 per head, then raced down the mighty Rio Grande (some even call it a river, but that depends upon whether you've ever been on the Mississippi or even the Missouri rivers).
We had a great turnout of about 50 scouts and 20 adults! Lunch was provided by the Reisen family (great food!) We then pitched in to provide six canoe crews of an adult and two scouts, and the rest of the Troop worked crowd control very successfully. By 2 PM all 25,000 ducks were in the water and surging toward the finish line about 1 1/2 miles south of their entry. A major traffic jam occurred at the duck-control boom just upstream of the finish line, resulting in the temporary escape of about 5,000 ducks heading swiftly south. With a little help from the water rescue squad and their hovercraft, the ducks were herded back to the finish line. Meanwhile, the canoe crews were taking regular canoe-righting lessons as they struggled to pry the shy ducks oout from under brush and away from snags in the middle of the river. Fortunately, all Scouts and even most Grannies finished the day safe, if not dry.
A photo gallery is planned, if someone will be so kind as to provide a few photos!
Last Updated - 1999-09-07