Orion District Rocket Day

September TBD, 2024  |  9:00 am - noon

Tomball United Methodist Church
1603 Baker Dr, Tomball, TX 77375

Registration

The event is free, but please RSVP so we have enough supplies.

RSVP

Late-Breaking Information

Late-breaking news and announcements will be emailed to those registered and posted on the Orion District Facebook page.

Please like our page at www.facebook.com/orionbsa. Invite parents and Scouters in the district to like our page. Units and Scouters can tag us (@orionbsa), and message pictures. To make sure you never miss a post, after liking the page, click on 'Following' and 'See First.' To help us promote Scouting, please engage with our content by liking, commenting and sharing our posts.

For additional council information, sign up for the eScouter and follow the Sam Houston Area Council Facebook page. Tag the council (@shac.bsa) and send them pics of your Scouting memories.

Orion District Facebook    Orion District Newsletter    SHAC Facebook

What to Bring

• New Scouts: Rocket that you received from your pack leader (with the Scout's name 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 can bring their own rocket and engine. See details below.
• Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A & B for all Scouting events) for every participant*
• Closed-toed shoes good for running^

Optional:

• Snacks
• Water bottle
• Camp chair
• Rain gear, if needed
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• 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.

Extra Rockets 

Scouts may bring extra rockets (e.g., for a sibling who is a returning Scout). 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 Brad McClain (brad@paulssupplies.com) or the local Scout Shop.  Allow two weeks for delivery.

Individuals may purchase additional rockets and motor engines at the local Scout Shop or hobby store.

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).

Scouting Safely

The BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on the 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. 

BSA 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 BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council has developed the SAFE Checklist of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

Youth Protection Guidelines     Guide to Safe Scouting      SAFE Checklist      Enterprise Risk Management

Contacts

For questions, contact the Bobcat Day chair or district activities chair.