Lynn Camp students going for world record with playing cards

Students at Lynn Camp High School will make a run at a world record today using the largest deck of playing cards ever constructed to play a series of games in the school’s gymnasium.

Students have been working for about five weeks on constructing the 7 feet, 4 inch tall deck of cards and will actually play a game of solitaire and rummy with them. They were putting the finishing touches on them Tuesday in preparation for the event.

"I think just about every student in this school has had their hands on them and worked on them," said Arthur Canada, a design and engineering instructor at Lynn Camp. "We are always looking for things that that will get our name out in the public … nice, ‘gee whiz’ sort of things that the kids will like and learn from."

Canada is over a computer graphics and robotics program at the school. The cards were cut and designed using on-site robotic equipment and computers. Students from the art department helped with hand drawing the face of the cards. They will serve double duty as props for the school’s prom on May 21 since it has an Alice in Wonderland theme.

"We usually do a pretty elaborate prom here at Lynn Camp," Canada said. "They are going to be used as 10 feet tall card soldiers."

Canada said he submitted the idea to officials from the Guinness World Records about six weeks ago. The proposal could have been fast tracked, but he said it cost about $654 dollars to do so, making it cost prohibitive. Evidence of the event will be submitted to Guinness for consideration once it is complete. Canada said he believes it will become an official world record as the largest deck of playing cards ever to be used in a game.

In the past, Canada’s students have undertaken similar efforts. Last year, they constructed a chess set with 10-feet-tall pieces.

He is in his 23rd year of instruction at the school.

"My wife says I come to work to play," Canada jokes. "I try to make learning as fun as possible for the students."

Wednesday’s event will serve as a fundraiser for the school prom as well as a shot for the world record.

Canada said the cards would likely be sold if anyone wants to buy them once the school is finished with them.

"They would make great pop art if someone wanted something like that," he said.

Without a buyer, the cards would be put into storage, but since school storage space is limited, he doesn’t know how long they will last there.

The students will begin playing games with the cards today at about 1:30 p.m.