How to get youngsters excited about rocketry

[Juaru]

Hello all.

A couple of months ago there was a very long thread about the state of the NAR/Model Rocketry, and there was a lot of discussion about how to get the kids more involved and excited.

Well, in trying to do my own little part, I've instituted a "free Rockets for Kids" program that rewards those under 18 with free rocket kits for completing the various steps through the NARTREK program.

The program has been a minor success as 5 kids have taken advantage of the program.

Here's where I need your help. A couple month's ago, Kyle Hancock's (Prowlerguy on TRF) son, completed a step and I posted a congratulations in the contests section.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15432

My original post was followed up by a "Thanks, Ben thought it was really cool seeing this posted" from his father. This in turn was followed by a "way to go!" from BSEXTON. Thank you Bruce. Then nothing. During the next couple of weeks there were 4 seperate HAPPY BIRTHDAY threads with 61 seperate posts. Now, I'm all about wishing someone a happy birthday, but it would really be great if we could throw a little rah rah toward some of the kids out there.

That being said, Prowlerguy has another son (Ben) who has completed a level and I have made a congratulatory post.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16529

I'm sure that Ben would really get a kick out of about 25 "way to go, keep up the good work, atta boy's".

I will thank you in advance for your help and enthusiasm for Ben's achievment.

By the way, I'd like to wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to GREG R. No idea who he is, but if he registered for TRF, he must be pretty cool.

Thanks,

John (not Jon) Arthur

www.JonRocket.com

 

[prowlerguy]

Just to clarify, Ben's message congratulating him on Gemini is linked above.

Chris, on the other hand, just completed Mercury and the link is below:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16529

Don't worry, I get them mixed up all the time myself!

I want to thank John again for his great efforts to expand rocketry to the next generation. His offer certainly lit a fire under Ben's behind, and he is one flight away from Apollo. I expect the same effect on Chris once the free kit is in his hands.

 

[powderburner]

Um, Juaru,
Both of those links seem to go to the same thread.
Does he plan to name all his kids "Ben"?

 

[Juaru]

ooops.

O.K., it's fixed!


John (not Jon) Arthur

www.JonRocket.com