Rev Lovejoy
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- Jul 13, 2009
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I just started a local rocket club from scratch. A couple kids had launched before, but most had not. The club meets in my church basement to build, and then launches at a member's farm/retreat center that was built for groups just like this, and offered to the community free of charge. It's a nice setup.
I should mention before I go on, that a requirement of my club is that all kids have to have an adult present. (One per family, not child). My reasons are hopefully self-evident, but in case not, I got into this to do something with my son from an early age. My daughter is into it too. But I couldn't imagine dropping them off at a model club without staying with them. This is intended as a community event that gives parents time to work with their kids, unlike watching them at soccer practice. The other main reason, is that I am no expert model builder, and could not supervise 10 or more builds at once even if I were. We had parents and grandparents out on launch day. It was great. (Of course, in hardship cases, I will amend the rules somewhat, but provide an adult mentor for a child who is in a special situation.)
Our first meeting, we made fliskit whatchamacalits. Jim was great about sending me a bulk pack on short notice, I had few firm commitments ahead of time. I had already done two whatcha's with my kids, so a dozen were involved in round one. We had a great first launch this Saturday morning, with a gorgeous sky.
They are chomping at the bit to do a second round, and I know at least 4-5 kids who didn't make it this time, who will be there next time. With a blurb in our small town paper, I expect a good 20 or so next time.
Here's my plan for the next couple months....
September: Quest Astra kit bulk pack of 25
Features a slot precut for fin placement, and parachute recovery.
October - Fliskits overdrive bulk pack
precut fins - traditional fin assembly - streamer recovery
Here's my logic - to start out, I wanted the whatchamacalit for a very easy build. Get their confidence off right away with a foolproof build and launch. Add a new skill next month, and one the next. Progressing from cut-slots to a traditional glue on fin. Also letting them do a parachute (I'm convinced kids love parachutes as much as rockets - my own do) but then let them see the streamer is still appropriate on the next smaller build.
Then, as the weather gets cold, we can start on a couple more time consuming projects, not launching until spring. Cut-your-own fins, maybe even getting into micro-maxx challenges.
At the same time, anyone who wants to get to the hobby shop and do something on their own is encouraged, and we want them to bring it all to club launch day. I mean, that's what comes to mind when I think of what a rocket club ought to look like. The group builds are a way to give guidance for those who want to participate, but need some direction.
Has anyone followed a similar model for an ongoing club? I know a lot of scout group builds tend to be a once-and-done thing, this is going to be an ongoing activity of mostly brand-new enthusiasts. Am I going about it the right way?
I should mention before I go on, that a requirement of my club is that all kids have to have an adult present. (One per family, not child). My reasons are hopefully self-evident, but in case not, I got into this to do something with my son from an early age. My daughter is into it too. But I couldn't imagine dropping them off at a model club without staying with them. This is intended as a community event that gives parents time to work with their kids, unlike watching them at soccer practice. The other main reason, is that I am no expert model builder, and could not supervise 10 or more builds at once even if I were. We had parents and grandparents out on launch day. It was great. (Of course, in hardship cases, I will amend the rules somewhat, but provide an adult mentor for a child who is in a special situation.)
Our first meeting, we made fliskit whatchamacalits. Jim was great about sending me a bulk pack on short notice, I had few firm commitments ahead of time. I had already done two whatcha's with my kids, so a dozen were involved in round one. We had a great first launch this Saturday morning, with a gorgeous sky.
They are chomping at the bit to do a second round, and I know at least 4-5 kids who didn't make it this time, who will be there next time. With a blurb in our small town paper, I expect a good 20 or so next time.
Here's my plan for the next couple months....
September: Quest Astra kit bulk pack of 25
Features a slot precut for fin placement, and parachute recovery.
October - Fliskits overdrive bulk pack
precut fins - traditional fin assembly - streamer recovery
Here's my logic - to start out, I wanted the whatchamacalit for a very easy build. Get their confidence off right away with a foolproof build and launch. Add a new skill next month, and one the next. Progressing from cut-slots to a traditional glue on fin. Also letting them do a parachute (I'm convinced kids love parachutes as much as rockets - my own do) but then let them see the streamer is still appropriate on the next smaller build.
Then, as the weather gets cold, we can start on a couple more time consuming projects, not launching until spring. Cut-your-own fins, maybe even getting into micro-maxx challenges.
At the same time, anyone who wants to get to the hobby shop and do something on their own is encouraged, and we want them to bring it all to club launch day. I mean, that's what comes to mind when I think of what a rocket club ought to look like. The group builds are a way to give guidance for those who want to participate, but need some direction.
Has anyone followed a similar model for an ongoing club? I know a lot of scout group builds tend to be a once-and-done thing, this is going to be an ongoing activity of mostly brand-new enthusiasts. Am I going about it the right way?
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