Recycled Roadsters
What do you get when you mix Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with the idea of creating vehicles out of recycled materials? Well, the projects are inspirational and extraordinary.
Susan Barry and Diane Blakley of the Roamin’ Angels Car Club and Girl Scout Service Unit 158 Team Lead, Becky Gillespie joined forces to come up with the overall idea and project parameters. Nevada County Boy Scout Troop 4, Cub Scout Troop 23 and Girl Scout Troop 2009 took on the challenge of building their own versions of ‘roadster’ using 80% recycled or repurposed materials. The categories their vehicles could fit into were multi-wheeled, hot rod, roadster, space/future, or farm. The kids could also create paintings or drawings, as well
The finished projects were on display at the Roamin Angels Car Show on Saturday, September 10, 2022. The final entries were created by Scouts ranging in age from kindergarten to eighth grade. All of the projects were impressive and creative. The kids involved were excited to show off their ‘roadsters’ and all the attention to their projects. Several of the older guys who had built cars that were on display at the car show took time to talk with th
e kids about their projects and their inspiration which made the kids feel very important. The smiles on their faces spoke volumes.
A 5-year-old made a vehicle from a metal fitting with headlamps from old fuses. An eighth grader used bark and leaves to create a ‘nature’ bus. One scout took a Taco Truck box and made a taco food van with the driver inside a plastic ‘bubble. The entries utilized everything from old parts from a vacuum cleaner to recycled cans of all sorts. All of the vehicles had to be able to move/roll. There were several work parties where the kids learned how to make ‘axels’ with old straws and skewers so their wheels would roll. It was a lot of fun and a lot of hot glue, bandaids, and tape!
The judges for the event were artist and classic car enthusiast Bob Wise – who also had a display of replica model cars; retired school teacher Connie Strand and Roamin Angels president Jim Richards who both spent time talking with each scout about their projects. Spectators could choose their favorite in the People’s Choice award and also write a comment about their choice on the ballot. Over 300 people came by and voted for their favorite ‘roadster’. The winner was a second grader with his “Tribulator Tractor”. Prizes ranged from money to gift certificates.
The kids were all asking about what they wanted to do for next year so it was indeed successful! One Boy Scout was also talking about how he wanted to continue working on his roadster and what he was going to make it even better. Oh, and he wanted to know how he could become a Roamin Angels club member! We are looking forward to the Recycled Roadsters being an annual event!
Story by Diane Blakley
Photos by Susan Barry and John Sweeney
Contact: recycledroadsters@gmail.com
