Students create record-breaking blanket fort covering 14,000 feet for local foster kids
The halls were made of metal pipes, and the ceilings were made of sheets… but for one weekend, hundreds of foster care children from Nevada were able to enjoy a blanket fort fit for royalty.
Spanning a mind-blowing 14,103.2 sq ft (1,310.2 sq m) – larger than Fort Knox – the massive structure stretched across two large gymnasiums and a hallway at the Desert Breeze Community Center this 16 May.
Designed and engineered by high school students from West Career and Technical Academy in Clark County, Nevada, USA, the project was the brainchild of County Commissioner Justin Jones.
He said he loves building blanket forts with his children, so he thought that the kids in the local foster care system at Foster Kinship would want the chance to play under the largest blanket fort in the world!
The Commissioner’s Office found some helping hands for the attempt with local sponsors, and asked students at a nearby science and technology high school to help create the fort.
One student named Michael particularly answered the call, and designed a structure so giant that it would accomplish their dream of a Guinness World Records title.
Read more stories about record-breaking crafts in our dedicated Hobbies and Skills section!
After sheets and blankets were donated by some Clark County hotels, helpers brought Michael’s vision to life in the community centre’s gym, hoisting up grey plastic pipes and securing the structural supports.
And once the frame was secure, volunteers clamped the linens on top of the arching poles, while Guinness World Records Adjudicator Sarah Casson monitored their work to ensure that the entire creation left gaps no larger than one inch.
The County Commissioner even brought blankets that his grandmother had sewn for him to be part of the fort!
“It was an honour to witness such a fun record attempt for a great cause,” said Sarah.
After the entire structure was measured, the group was thrilled to learn that they had officially taken the record – yet the enthusiasm in the room only got greater as the children rushed in to play under the maze made of bedsheets.
“This is the coolest thing we have ever done!” the organizers joyfully said, once they claimed the title.
“This proves that we can accomplish great things when we work together!”
So congratulations, Clark County, for accomplishing this heartwarming record – you are Officially Amazing!