On Monday, 28 teams paddled their way around Norway Pond in Hancock for Avenue A Teen and Community Center’s second Blindfolded Boat Race.

The event drew a crowd of residents from Hancock and surrounding towns, who filled the town beach for a chance to watch blindfolded paddlers attempt to navigate Norway Pond. The only help they received was from their teammate, who acted as navigator.

“We started the blindfolded boat race last year; we wanted to create a fun event as a kickoff for our NH Gives Campaign,” said the event’s organizer and the director of teen programs at Avenue A, Jacqueline Roland. “ Teams raise funds for Avenue A to enter the race.”

Roland said that while donations and pledges are still coming in, they had raised about $8,800 from the event so far.

Local organizations who entered the race included the NH Children’s Trust, the Antrim Police Department, Renew Church in Hancock, Hancock Congregational Church, Family Support NH, All Saints’ Church, Monadnock Community Church, and Antrim Presbyterian Church.

After this year’s success, Roland says Avenue A – part of The Grapevine Family & Community Resource Center in Antrim -- is excited to run the race again next year.

“We heard lots of our race teams brainstorming ideas for new costumes and boat themes,” she said. “During the race, we heard from community members who came as spectators but want to race next time.”

Avenue A is a regional center that serves more than 300 teens from the ConVal School District and surrounding towns with comprehensive support throughout adolescence. For information, visit grapevinenh.org/avenue-a-teen-community-center.