CORNELIUS – Carefree Boat Club and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte gave 40 children from the Y Readers program, the opportunity to enjoy boating on Lake Norman.

Y Readers is a nationally recognized literacy program for pre-K through second grade students reading below grade level. The program provides literacy support, which includes guided reading, self-selected reading, writing and phonics. The program also provides enrichment activities, which give participants exposure to experiences like swimming, arts and crafts.

The outings were Tuesday, July 17, 24 and 31. Children participated in various classroom activities such as coloring, learning nautical terms and listening to a Dr. Seuss story time. They also learned how to drive a boat under the watchful eyes of Carefree Boat Club staff members Dave Stephen, Brian Ordasz and Tyler Lloyd.

Owners of the Carefree Boat Club, Oana and Marc Graveline, led the event with the help of the YMCA staff and the site coordinator from Cornelius Elementary School, Jim Wideman.  Carefree Boat Club’s operations director, John Gillette, taught the children basic boating information.

“I am so happy to have been able to have a part in making these children’s day,” Gillette said. “It was fun teaching them about boats and boating.”

The Carefree Boat Club, located at Morningstar Marinas - Kings Point in Cornelius.  For more information, visit www.CarefreeBoats.com/LakeNorman.