THREE OAKS, Michigan USA — Tripoli Michiana is a group of high-power rocketry enthusiasts who share their hobby with the public through education and demonstration. For a couple days each month from November to May, the group turns a farm field into a launching pad.

"Rocketry is a great hobby, but you don't have to fly one at our events," said Steve Bakos, prefect for Tripoli Michiana. "Anyone's welcome to come and watch."

Many of the rockets Tripoli members build and launch are more than 6 feet tall and fly to impressive heights, up to 12,000 feet. Even more impressive is that the rockets are designed and built to remain intact, be recovered and reused. Some even have high-tech equipment on board.

"When a rocket goes up 5,000 feet or more, then comes down with a parachute, if it's a fairly windy day, you can have a mile walk to recover it," Bakos said. "The more expensive ones have interesting internals, including electronics, that help them not to drift forever.

"These will fall fast until they're at a certain altitude. When that altitude is reached, a big parachute is pushed out to bring the rocket down gently. Some also have GPS devices to help locate them."

Tripoli Michiana launches are family-friendly and often include youngsters trying their first launches with a model built from a hobby store.

"A lot of our members are space buffs or B.A.R.'s — born-again rocketeers," Bakos said. "These are folks who grew up in the '60s during the space race, and though they were always interested in rockets, they grew up, got jobs, then got into rocketry, or back into rocketry, when they had kids."

Besides being a great place to get inspiration and friendly advice from serious hobbyists, the launches are a place to get supplies from on-site vendors.

"I'd suggest that someone start out with the smaller rockets that are available from a hobby shop," Bakos said. "Build it, bring it out to launch, and then you can also see what the bigger stuff is like."

One factor can spoil launch days: Mother Nature. Check http://www.tripolimichiana.org to make sure weather and field conditions are right before heading out. You'll also find a map to the launch site.

The launch runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) Saturday and Sunday in Three Oaks, Mich. From eastbound Interstate 94, take Michigan Exit 4A. About two miles past the stoplight, turn right onto Avery Road.

Admission is free, and youth can launch small rockets at no charge.