CAPTAIN’S TOOLKIT
Welcome to the 2024 River Cities Dragon Boat Festival! We’re so glad that you have joined us for our 11th year! Together, we’re expanding our impact and services to children who have been abused or neglected in our community, specifically our new north Pulaski Center! The festival raises money for Children’s Protection Center (CPC), our children’s advocacy agency that provides all kinds of specialized services for children in these investigations – from forensic interviewing to medical exams and therapy.
Thank you for being a captain! It’s hard work, but we’re here to support you every step of the way! We encourage you to use the resources in this toolkit to compose a successful team and fundraise successfully! You can also reach out to our Team Support Committee at ttodd@childrensprotectioncenter.org with specific questions or to share your creative campaigns and big wins!
We’ve put together this toolkit to provide your team and organization with all the resources needed to be successful! This includes:
Next Steps
Key messages to use when talking about the festival and/or CPC with your team, board, supporters, and wider audience
Including email and social media
Team Meetings and Captain “Wrap” Sessions
Fundraising Ideas
What Your Pledges Mean to CPC
FAQs
Suggested Team Timeline
Next Steps
Start Building Your Team
20 paddlers, one drummer and 3 alternates.
8 of your 20 paddlers must be female (not including the drummer).
Teams can race with as few as 16 paddlers, but 4 must be female.
If teams have 18 paddlers, 6 must be female.
Paddlers must be age 15 years or older.
Complimentary customized recruitment flyers and signup sheets are available upon request.
Captain “Wrap” Sessions (Continued by popular demand!)
Dragon Boat 101: This session will provide a basic overview of the event, captain duties and how to assemble a winning team! New event component details will be shared as well!
You will only need to attend one session, but please feel free to invite your co-captains!
Paddles Up 2.0: Now that you're more familiar with the event, this session will focus on unique ways to incorporate and share information about why this event is important!
Paddler Party and Captains' Lunch: details will be shared, along with additional preparation and training tips. You will only need to attend one session, but please feel free to invite your co-captains!
The Finish Line: Do you need more paddlers? Do you have additional questions and/or concerns? Then, this session is for you! Make plans to attend this ultimate Q&A event that will leave you feeling like the "Top Dragon"! (FAQ's will be compiled and shared with all teams after these sessions.)
Email ttodd@childrensprotectioncenter.org to sign up!
Team Registration
Go here to register your team!
Try to develop a unique and “catchy” name!
If you prefer paying by invoice, email ttodd@childrensprotectioncenter.org.
Look for a welcome email with your team’s unique fundraising URL.
Team Fundraising
Captains should encourage their paddlers to each raise $100 in pledges.
Zeffy is the secure site used paddlers/teams to raise pledges.
Donations go directly to CPC.
Unique URLs are created when teams register.
Your team’s URL is can be found here
Sample Messaging
Email
In just a few weeks, I will be paddling in the River Cities Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Willastein in Maumelle. This unique sporting event features 44-foot-long boats manned by 21 crew members. This year 50 teams will paddle for victory! And, although it will be a weekend of fun and friendly competition, most importantly, I will be paddling to support children who visit Children’s Protection Center (CPC) – a non-profit agency that helps children who have been physically and sexually abused find the hope and healing they need. I have pledged to raise $100 for CPC. Please join me by clicking the link below to make a tax-deductible donation. No amount is too small to change the life of an abused child.
Social Media
I’m “Getting on the Boat” to help children heal from abuse! Join me by supporting me as I paddle with my team, (Team Name Here)! We’re ready to win while raising money for a great cause! Go here to donate (team fundraising link here).
Come cheer us on at this unique sporting event – free to all spectators! Bring your lawn chairs to Lake Willastein in Maumelle on June 7 for an amazing kick- off party with children’s area, fireworks, music, and more! Races start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 8. Don’t miss it!
Learn more about CPC and their impact here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjiIhOhqwng&t=146s.
More information about the 2024 River Cities Dragon Boat Festival can be found here:
Plan Your Tailgate
Each team will have a 20x20 space for tents, grills, and fun.
While most teams have tents and cook out, there will be food trucks available.
Team set up is Friday, June 7, noon to 5 p.m. You will receive a reserved load in time.
Earlier times can be accommodated, if needed.
Prizes for best decorated booth space.
Make your space unique and fun!
Host a Team Meeting (if desired)
30 minutes or less.
CPC staff provide details on what to expect during the festival.
Scheduled at your convenience – virtually or over lunch, breakfast, after hours – whatever works!
Submit Your Team Roster (Due May 24)
Email your list to ttodd@childrensprotectioncenter.org; make sure to include paddler cell numbers and email addresses.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a complete roster, just send us what you have.
Attend the Paddler Party
Scheduled for May (date TBD) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Children’s Protection Center courtyard.
1210 Wolfe Street, on the campus of Arkansas Children’s Hospital at the Clark Center for Safe and Healthy Children.
All teams are welcomed, but this is an adult only event.
Light eats and drinks provided.
Includes unique ways to re-emphasize things you need to know.
Attend the Captain’s Lunch
Designed for Captains & Co-Captains
An email will be sent with all the details – make sure to RSVP.
Scheduled for Tuesday, June 4 at Twin City Limousines and Event Center.
901 Main St. in Little Rock
Captains’ packets and updated information distributed, including finalized race schedule.
Hearty lunch provided.
Schedule Your Team Practice
Two weeks prior to the race date, an email will be sent requesting three time selections.
Available times are from noon to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (June 5, 6, and 7).
Slots fill quickly, so please respond to the email ASAP.
Encourage as many paddlers to practice as possible.
Waivers must be signed before practices.
Note: While many teams love the Friday practice times, the Wednesday and Thursday practices give teams a little more one-on-one time with coaches and is less hectic.
Get on the Boat!
Share crucial times (practice, set up, tear down, etc.) with your team, invite your friends and family, and get ready for a weekend full of fun!
Don’t forget the complimentary team photo immediately after your first race!
KEY MESSAGES
In its eleventh year, the River Cities Dragon Boat Festival is one of the most unique and exciting events on the water. All funds raised from this event benefit Children’s Protection Center (CPC), to provide compassionate care to children and their families to overcome the trauma of abuse.
CPC is the only organization in Pulaski County positioned to offer a coordinated approach to child abuse investigations, advocacy services and educational programs.
Because all services come at no cost to families, we’re asking each paddler to raise $100 through pledges. Last year, paddlers raised almost $80,000 for the children who come to CPC!
Money raised through pledges expands CPC’s impact and allows them to provide services to more abused and neglected children. For example:
$225 – complete advocacy
$150 – two (2) hours of therapy
$100 – one (1) forensic interview
$50 – gas card for families without transportation
$25 – snacks and toys for children at CPC
FAQs
Do we need to bring our own boat, paddles & life vests? All items will be provided. However, paddlers sometimes prefer to bring their own life vests. All life vests must be US Coast Guard approved, which includes waist/belt personal flotation devices (PFDs).
Is alcohol allowed at the festival? The official park policy is that alcohol is prohibited. If you choose to enjoy an adult beverage, please exercise discretion. If security and event staff SEE any obvious alcohol, you will be asked to put it away.
Where should we park? Parking is available near the event site, but fills up quickly. Shuttle service will be available, as well as handicap parking. NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED AT THE ATHLETE’S VILLAGE SITE AFTER 5 P.M. ON FRIDAY THROUGH 4 P.M. (OR AFTER THE EVENT) ON SATURDAY.
Will anyone be available to help us unload/load? Yes, as needed.
When is the last day to accept/collect money/pledges? 10 a.m. Saturday morning.
Will there be food available at the event? Food will be available for purchase from food trucks.
What if someone wants to volunteer? Email ttodd@childrensprotectioncenter.org or go here to find out more about volunteering.
SUGGESTED TIMELINE
Two months before the event:
Assemble your team, inform paddlers of logistics, research paddling techniques, think of t-shirt design. (Yes, there’s a prize for that, too!).
One month before the event
Start planning your Athlete’s Village space (food, décor, etc.).
Two weeks before the event
Schedule practice; select your drummer and costume. (Yes, there’s a prize for that, too!)
The week of the event
Attend captain’s lunch, attend practice, share race schedule with team, confirm paddlers and alternates.