Rocketry Planet

Like other members of Boy Scout Troop 179, Lincoln Marquis liked watching model rockets, made of cardboard tubes, zip through the sky Saturday morning.

The exercise was a cool way for boys to learn about aerodynamics "without spending millions of dollars," Lincoln said.

Scout leader Jim Burtle helps Pavel Wendt of Boy Scout Troop 179 prepare a micro rocket for launch on Saturday as troop members tested their creations at the Virginia RC Flying Club near Thornburg. Photo: Dave Ellis.

Scout leader Jim Burtle helps Pavel Wendt of Boy Scout Troop 179 prepare a micro rocket for launch on Saturday as troop members tested their creations at the Virginia RC Flying Club near Thornburg. Photo: Dave Ellis.

But you know what really got him going?

The suspense of it all.

"You don't know what's going to happen to it, if it's going to explode," said Lincoln, doing a little wishful thinking, "or if it's going to go like it should."

No matter how the rockets went off--or if they didn't deploy at all--the Boy Scouts cheered and clapped, groaned and grimaced throughout the launching.

About 40 Scouts and 15 adults from the troop camped at the Virginia RC Flying Club field near Thornburg Friday and Saturday nights.

The boys spent time working on their space exploration merit badge and learning Newton's laws about action and reaction. They briefly studied satellites and fantasized how they'd build a rocket if they were on another planet, said Keith Berkland, camp-out coordinator.

Clearly, one of the highlights of the chilly, wet weekend was shooting off rockets.

"They love it," said Assistant Scoutmaster Wally Hunt, who's also a member of the flying club. "Anything that moves or goes boom."

Each Scout got four chances to launch his rocket--most made from $7 kits--into the cloudy skies above Spotsylvania County.

Some shot into the air with a force that would make NASA officials proud. Men and boys cheered from the sidelines.

"Nice."

"Wow, look at it go."

"Ye-a-a-a-ah."

When the "shock cord," the rubber band connecting the rocket and parachute came apart--as it often did--the rocket plummeted to the ground. That got even more of a reaction.

"Look out below," yelled an adult.

"Owwwww, that's a rough ride," said one boy.

"That astronaut's dead," added another.

There's no competition involved, no desired landing zone for the parachutes. The goal is to shoot the rockets as high as they'll go--some reach 1,200 feet--and have them come back down without breaking.

The troop, which is sponsored by Fairview Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, goes camping at least once a month and focuses on various themed events. Another activity that's near and dear to the hearts of boys is included in every event.

That's eating.

"We made doughnuts this morning," said 10-year-old Kevin Guditus. "They were delicious."

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