OXNARD — The Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) is releasing more details on its upcoming April event/contest as part of its continuing 30th anniversary year celebration and Earth Day.
The Museum is calling for mini “eco-boat” contest entries which are boats that utilize recyclable or compostable materials. Entries should be no larger than 24” in length. Winning entries will be chosen based on the most creative use of materials. Wood, paper, glass, aluminum, cardboard, and plant fibers (including cotton fabric, canvas, hemp, twigs, leaves, non-nylon rope, etc.) are all acceptable materials. Plastics and foams may not be used in the construction of boats. Prizes will be awarded in four age categories: Adults (18 years and older), Young Adults (13-17 years of age), Kids (7-12 years of age), and Kids (6 years and younger). There will be one winner in each category. The Channel Islands Harbor Lessees Association is generously sponsoring the cash prizes for the contest.
Prizes for the contest are as follows:
Adults (18 years and older) $200.00
Young Adults (13-17 years of age) $150.00
Kids (7-12 years of age) $100.00
Kids (6 years and younger) $50.00
“Being located on the water, CIMM is always looking at how it can do its part in helping to protect the ecology and health of The Ocean we all share,” says CIMM Executive Director Adri Howe. “Plastics and microplastics, which are the byproduct of plastic breaking into smaller particles, have become more and more problematic as they are everywhere and large quantities of them pass unchanged through waterways into the ocean. Aquatic life and birds can mistake microplastics for food putting them at severe risk of contamination or even death. It still comes down to the environmental basics – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We hope to share this message through this fun and educational boat-building contest. We are very grateful to the Channel Islands Harbor Lessees Association for its support in sharing this important message with the community.”
Entries may be dropped off at the Museum M-F 10 am to 4 pm during the month of April. Entries must be at the Museum at 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard, no later than April 30 at 12 pm. Entries received after this time will not be accepted into the judging. Entrants are asked to include a piece of paper with their name, age category, email address, phone number, and list of materials used in the entry. Entrants are also being asked for their boat’s name and are welcome to share a short description of their boat-building experience or their goals in building their boat. For all details on the contest, please go to the CIMM website at www.cimmvc.org starting on April 1st.
About Channel Islands Maritime Museum: Founded in 1991 and located in the Channel Islands Harbor, the Museum’s galleries feature rare and beautiful maritime paintings dating back to the 1600’s, more than sixty world-class ship models, rotating thematic exhibitions, and interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to expand their horizons about everything maritime. The Museum is reopening to the public on April 9.