Smithtown Youth Get Creative to Highlight the Dangers of Boating while Intoxicated
The Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling and Education Center, in partnership with the Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau and Public Safety Waterways and Navigation, conducted a Drinking and Boating Awareness campaign to spread the word regarding the dangers of driving a boat while under the influence. On Thursday, September 3rd, Horizons held an event at Hoyt Farm for local youth volunteers to create and submit their own pictures to be included in a video slideshow for the campaign.
“As we know, boating and drinking are an extremely dangerous combination and have caused many accidents and deaths in the past. We want to remind our community to have fun in a safe and healthy way. Getting our young people involved in the message gives them a voice on this topic as well.” - Kelly DeVito, Youth Services Coordinator
Twenty four students attended the event at Hoyt Farm. From July 17th to September 3rd, submissions were open for Smithtown youth to send in their own creations made at home. Three drawings were sent in separate from the event, for a final total of 27 completed drawings. Participants were given the option to either color the motor boat template provided, draw their own picture, or take a video and come up with a tagline/safety message to go with their creation. The messages raised awareness of the dangers of boating while under the influence of a substance. In addition to submitting the awareness drawings, participants also helped make kindness cards for patients at St. Catherine’s Hospital.
To view the slideshow video showing all the completed drawings, visit https://youtu.be/QI9-LnktDjA.