All Hands on Deck: Creativity Floats at the 9th Long-View Cardboard Boat Regatta

Every spring, there’s a singular energy that builds in our community—a blend of anticipation, nervous excitement, and the unmistakable rustle of cardboard. On May 2, the Loop 360 Boat Ramp Park came alive as we held our ninth annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Seventeen boats, each thoughtfully crafted by our learners, took to the waters of Lake Austin in a spirited event that highlights creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.

We’re especially grateful to Travis County Parks for providing this beautiful park as the perfect setting—open space and sparkling water—for our event. This treasured community resource created an inspiring backdrop for our students to put their ideas to the test.

But the regatta is about much more than launching boats on the water. It’s a hands-on exploration of physics, problem-solving, and resilience. Over several weeks, teams worked together to design, build, and refine their boats, learning firsthand about buoyancy, balance, and resilience….

Celebrating Marin's Journey: From Long-View to University of Washington

We are thrilled to spotlight Marin, one of our remarkable Long-View graduates from the Class of 2020, as she embarks on her new adventure this fall at The University of Washington, where she will be on the rowing team and major in business. Marin's journey from our halls to the vibrant campus in Seattle is a testament to her resilience, passion, and commitment to personal growth and excellence.

Marin's story took an exciting turn after her participation in the Long-View Cardboard Boat Regatta, where she discovered a new interest in rowing. Before that, Marin explored various sports, never quite settling on one. The regatta sparked a curiosity that led her to a summer rowing program, an experience she describes as humbling and transformative. Her initial apprehensions about competition—rooted in a fear of losing—gave way to a newfound confidence as she joined the novice crew and found joy in the sport....

Blog