Youth who join Cub Scouts this year will receive a rocket that they can design and build at home. Youth in kindergarten through fifth grade who are interested in joining Scouting may also attend. We will help you find a pack near you and get signed up for Scouting. New Scouts can attend any Rocket Launch Day event in the council that fits their schedule.
Registration
The event is free; however, RSVP for one of the 20-minute launch slots between 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Please arrive 10 minutes before your time slot for check-in with the rocket already assembled. Launch sessions are limited to six Scouts at a time; only available time slots will show in the registration system.
RSVP
What to Bring
- New Scouts: Rocket that you received from your pack leader already assembled (with the Scout's name or initials on it). Scouts may decorate their rockets with stickers or markers, but no additional weight should be added. View the rocket prep video.
- Returning Scouts may bring an assembled rocket and engine. See details below.
- Health and Medical form (Parts A & B for all Scouting events) for every participant
- Water bottle
- Closed-toes shoes (i.e., tennis shoes) good for running^
- Snacks
- Camp chair, optional
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Optional: Extra engine (rockets can be shot more than once if time allows)
*Medical Record: We require all participants to bring an Annual Health and Medical Record to every Scouting event. The Scouting adventures, camping trips, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so is your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record is the first step in making sure you have a great Scouting experience. Completing a health history promotes health awareness, collects necessary data, and provides medical professionals critical information needed to treat a patient in the event of an illness or injury. It also provides emergency contact information. Please download the form and have the form with you at all Scouting events for every member of your family.
^Closed-toed shoes are highly recommended for all Scouting events. Many of our outdoor venues have snakes and sticks that can injure toes. Many of our activities include active games, so shoes that Scouts can run in (e.g., tennis shoes) are recommended.
Rockets
Youth who join Cub Scouts this year will receive a rocket that they should design and build at home. Returning Scouts may bring a rocket and engine to launch. The rocket must be a skill level 0 to 2 and the engine must be an A or B class engine.
Packs may purchase additional rockets for returning Scouts in bulk from the local Scout Shop. Allow two weeks for delivery.
Individuals may purchase additional rockets and motor engines at the local Scout Shop or Hobby Lobby.
If Scouts bring their own rocket(s), the rocket should be built prior to arrival at the launch site and they must provide their own appropriate class A or B rocket engine. Remember that only adults are allowed to handle the engines. Ensure that you review the rocket kit instructions and select the recommended engine size.
Watch this video for a very good briefing on prepping rockets prior to launch: https://youtu.be/hC6evC1N05c.
Rocket Launch Safety
The safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees is an important part of the Scouting experience.
Only adults are allowed to handle or load rocket motors. Adults should always closely supervise ALL rocketry building, launching, and recovery activities.
National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Safety Code and other safety guidelines will be followed:
- Launch safety – countdowns, 15-foot safety circle
- Launchers – End of launch rod must be above eye level.
- Launch site – 200-foot open area required for a type B engine; monitor wind and dry grass conditions
- Every rocket should be safety inspected prior to launch.
- If a rocket misfires or does not launch, be sure to wait a minimum of 30 seconds before approaching it.
- Lightning, winds, or any adverse weather should immediately stop the launch.
- Recovery safety – Do not attempt recovery from power lines, tall trees, etc.
- In case of inclement weather, the launch will be rescheduled.
Photographs
Notice! Please be advised that promotional videotaping/photography may be in progress at any time at an event. Your entrance constitutes your agreement that the council and district has the right to reproduce your likeness in videography/photography for promotion (e.g., publications, internet, newspaper).
Communications
Join our council Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shac.bsa.
Scouting Safely
Scouting America's Commitment to Safety is ongoing, and the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. Scouting America puts the utmost importance on safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them.
Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow youth protection guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:
- Two-deep leadership on all outings is required.
- One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited.
- The buddy system should be used at all times.
- Discipline must be constructive.
Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in Scout activities, the National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the National Council has developed the SAFE Checklist of safety procedures for physical activity. These points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.
*About Medical Record: Scouting America requires all participants to bring an Annual Health and Medical Record to every Scouting event. The Scouting adventures, camping trips, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so is your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record is the first step in ensuring you have a great Scouting experience. Completing a health history promotes health awareness, collects necessary data, and provides medical professionals with critical information needed to treat a patient in the event of an illness or injury. It also provides emergency contact information. Please download the form and have it with you at all Scouting events for every member of your family.
^Closed-toed shoes are highly recommended for all Scouting events. Many of our outdoor venues have snakes and sticks that can injure toes. Many of our activities include active games, so shoes that Scouts can run in (e.g., tennis shoes) are recommended.
Youth Protection Guidelines Guide to Safe Scouting SAFE Checklist Enterprise Risk Management
Contacts