August 17, 2023
“Owners Story”
By: Lyndsey Russell
This will be the youngest “Owners Story” we have ever published and it is a great one.
Cooper Cavanagh, 12, of Mount Dora, was invited to join the SCAMPY Youth Boat Program in May of 2022. The “Sunnyland Chapter Apprentice Mentoring Program for Youth” or SCAMPY as it’s known to us was established in 2009 to educate youth about boating and boat safety.
Cooper and other kids in the program spend Saturdays at the boat shop learning many valuable skills from how to identify hand and power tools and use them safely, to determination and patience. They learn a willingness and ability to take and follow direction along with self-confidence, among many other valuable character traits. The mentors at SCAMPY are the biggest reason for its success. They are knowledgeable, patient, and some of the most giving gentlemen one can find. It was a true honor for Cooper to be able to be a part of this program.
Working with Cooper over the 15 months it took, from start to launch day, was his grandfather John Russell and family friend Jim Dunn. Together along with SCAMPY mentors, Mike, Dave and Lou, Cooper was able to construct a 12 ft. runabout from scratch.
Cooper launched his runabout on Saturday, August 5th, from the Lighthouse Dock across from Gilbert Park.
For more information on the SCAMPY program CLICK HERE
