Share
Scores of inner-city youths who've never been to Lake Norman, let alone on a boat, will visit the state's largest lake on July 18 for a day of festivities.
Last year, 200 youngsters from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte participated in A Big Day at the Lake, and organizers are again calling on boaters to help out.
About 100 boaters are needed each year to act as “boat hosts” to take the youngsters on the lake for fishing, tubing, swimming and other activities, founder and organizer David Yochum of Cornelius said. “It brings people from all walks of life together in a way that rarely occurs in and around Mecklenburg County,” Yochum said.
Each youth and a mentor arrive at their assigned boat host's home, marina, yacht club or dock on Lake Norman around 9 a.m. Many boat hosts gather for extra fun on an island or at a home, Yochum said.
At 1:30 p.m., everyone gathers for a picnic at the EnergyExplorium at McGuire Nuclear Station on N.C. 73 in Huntersville.
A Big Day at the Lake and Big Brothers Big Sisters provide insurance for the day.
Yochum said he came up with the idea because he wanted to provide a fun lake experience for children who otherwise may never get out on Lake Norman. Most of the children are from Charlotte. Rain date will be July 25.
