ALTOONA, Wisconsin USA — The National Association of Rocketry Annual Meet, also known as NARAM, is the NAR's annual model rocketry championship, held this year in Rainbow Valley, Arizona from July 30th through August 4th.  NARAM, in its 48th year, is the big event of the year for NAR members, and they will come from all over the world to participate in the festivities.

The very first NARAM was held just two short years after the NAR was formed, back in 1959, and was a showcase for members to compete for recognition.  Trophies are presented to those who place tops in their event, as well as NARAM champions and the overall National Champion.

One of the calling cards for NARAM is the opportunity to revisit old friends made over the years in the hobby.  The event is full of activities, both on the field during the day and afterhours in the evenings.  Here are some of the activities that are planned for the event:

Sport Flying

A sport range is maintained starting the weekend before the competition range opens on Monday. Some NAR members come to NARAM just to fly rockets for a whole week at the sport range. What a vacation opportunity! If a week-long FAA waiver is granted, NAR members can fly High Power Rockets (HPR) all week. Level 2 HPR certification exams are usually given on the first weekend of NARAM, and then aspirants have a whole week to prepare for and make their certification flights.

Radio-Controlled Rocket Glider Championship

R/C rocket glider enthusiasts face off for a friendly show down. Experienced volunteer instructors may also be on hand to teach you how to fly an R/C rocket glider.

Manufacturer's Forum

The manufacturers who support our hobby come to NARAM to talk about their latest products and answer your questions. This is a chance to see the latest gear and meet the manufacturers.

Reseach and Development Presentations

This is where NAR members present the results of their research and development efforts. Many of the latest trends and innovations of our hobby have made their debut at a NARAM R&D presentation.

Scale Rocketry Display

Probably the only place that one will ever see 100-200 scale model rockets in one room. These models represent the best efforts of modelers from all over the country.

Current U.S. Point Leaders:

A Division: Kaitlyn Steele (NAR 80121) Points: 8274
B Division: Caroline Steele (NAR 78080) Points: 8112
C Division: Jerry Lathan (NAR 76482) Points: 8073)
Team Division: Pod Bay Doors (Team T-201) Points: 9240
Sections: Superstition Spacemodeling Society (Section 506) Points: 64392

Information on the contest events taken from the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) web site.