On Oct. 22, the Boy Scouts of Troop 319 traveled to El Mirage Dry Lakebed in Adelanto for their annual Rocketman outing. The Scouts prepared for this family campout by building their rockets and buying plenty of engines in different sizes.

Once they arrived at the campsite, the Scouts and their parents set up pop-ups to protect themselves from the scorching sunlight, assembled their launch pads, and immediately began shooting rockets hundreds or thousands of feet into the air. As the rockets descended, the Scouts excitedly hopped on their bikes and drove off into the lakebed to retrieve the rockets to begin the process again.

Aside from shooting off rockets and bike riding, the Scouts enjoyed playing cards, cooking and getting achievements signed off by Scoutmaster Nate Brown and his assistant scoutmasters. The young Scouts of the Robot Dragon patrol worked closely with Brown to learn how to whip and fuse a rope, which they found particularly interesting.

Harrison Connors, 11, enjoyed himself at the outing, and said he especially liked it “when the rockets crash land.” David Brown, 13, said his favorite part of the weekend was “biking around on the jumps and the berms.”  The Scouts also enjoyed observing some of the other activities that take place at El Mirage, such as experimental aircraft flying and motor biking.

“Every year, [Rocketman] gets better and better,” said Rob Tyler, assistant scoutmaster. “It’s just fun to get the boys out … riding bikes forever and a day [and] experiencing desert life. Also, gaining knowledge about rocketry.”

The event is a good way for the Scouts to learn to “be prepared” as the rockets often get damaged on their descent, and the Scouts use their knowledge and tools to rebuild them.

Submitted by Katie EMERY

  Katie EMERY, Rick HOUGHTON