Eagle Rock Yacht Club Celebrates Rapture With 'Last Dodgeball Tournament Ever'

If the words of Harold Camping, the Family Radio broadcaster who has predicted that the rapture will occur on May 21, hold any merit, then the Eagle Rock Yacht Club in planning to go out with one heck of a party.

The Northeast L.A. based organization, which focuses on providing 21+ adults with an to opportunity socialize and participate in volunteer efforts, is hosting the ominously titled "Last Dodgeball Tournament Ever" this coming Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Glassell Park Recreation Center of 3700 Verdugo Road. 

Those not bracing themselves for the end of days can sign up at the ERYC's website.

Craig Fowler, co-founder of the Eagle Rock Yacht Club and not an adherent of end-times prophecy, said the "Last Dodgeball Tournament Ever" was conceived as a light-hearted jab at those who believe in the impending annihilation of mankind.

"Every year we do three or four themed tournaments," Fowler said. "This year is the rapture tournament, which is based on the May 21 rapture thing. We're basically poking fun at that."

However, Fowler said the ERYC has a nobler goal in mind for the tournament than mocking doomsday hysteria. The group is hoping to raise enough money from registration fees to purchase a screen printing press and establish a youth-oriented screen printing class at the Glassell Park Recreation Center.

Registration for two people is $25 and a group of four can register for $40.

"For every rec-center we play at we try to do some non-profit, volunteer activity," Fowler explained.

For example, the ERYC currently hosts a Friday night dodgeball game for teens at the Glassell Park Recreation Center and has  has volunteered toys, time and food to various Holiday events at the Highland Park Recreation Center.

Yacht Club members are also encouraged to volunteer their time at the rec-centers when possible.

Chris Alves, another ERYC co-founder, said the volunteerism aspect of the group developed organically after its inception.

Simply, Alves said, he figured if grown-ups had enough time to play dodgeball, they probably had some room in their schedules to make a positive impact on their community too.

"If you're showing up to dodgeball, chances are you've got some time to waste or you're missing something," Alves said. "Whether it's human interaction, or you want to meet a girl, or you want to meet a guy, or you just moved to Los Angeles. We offer some opportunities to do something outside of yourself."

Of course, fun is also strongly encouraged at Eagle Rock Yacht Club events. Participants are encouraged to sign up in co-ed pairs of two to four and teams are regularly mixed up to prevent cliquishness.

"One of the main things we really try to do, we try to be as welcoming as possible," Fowler said. "A lot of people will come and just stand on the sidelines and watch and we make sure to say 'hi' to new people and make them feel totally welcome. So even if you're not playing , you still feel like part of the group."

The ERYC has also developed a set of gameplay rules that discourage boorish or aggressive behavior. Shouting and head-shots are both strictly prohibited, for example

"It's competitive, but not in a way that's over the top," Fowler said. 

The Yacht also hosts additional free games  at 4 p.m. on Sundays at the Glassell Park Recreation Center, for those who want to check out the club and see what it's all about.

Fowler said an open game will be played on Sunday, May 22--this is, only if Harold Camping turns out to be wrong.