I have been pretty active promoting ROCtober over the years, getting it to be an annual event for many packs / troops.
Couple of thoughts,Weather, the weather for the ROCtober launches has been consistently great, 30s at night 60's during the sunny low wind days. I think it is the best launch of the year as far as the weather goes.
The ROCtober setup.Roctober, as far as setup goes is not that different than a monthly launch, much less setup than an ROCstock. In past the trailer has shown up Saturday morning, and with MANY scouts wanting to launch and being great volunteers the setup gos very well. Last few years the range closed around 1 and I was home by 5. I t is more work than a simple monthly launch but much less than a ROC stock.
The ROCtober Vibe.One aspect of ROCtober that is very different than a ROCstock is the vibe from the kids. There was one scout i brought up, this kid had never launched before, the bug hit and, no kidding, he launch almost a full educator pack of 24 motors HIMSELF over the weekend load launch fly, recover do it again. At a ROCtober the number of rockets launched is pretty high, 2010 ROCtober was right at 1,000 rockets. The kids had a chance to launch MANY rockets over the two days. At a ROCstock, you would be waiting in line a lot longer for front line launches.
Kids - Big Rockets - Small RocketsThis is the key issue, ROCstock = big crowds (bad) but big rockets, ROCtober = smaller crowds (good) but less big rockets. The kids like to launch but also the kids like to see big stuff. I think Rick nailed it, get them to come with the scout group for ROCtober, get them to come back with Mom and Dad for ROCstock. I try to launch some of my bigger stuff for the kids, plus we have had some nice projects go off on Saturday.
Cert Flights - ROCtoberI have notice more Level 1,2,and 3 attempts at ROCtober. I Think people want to certify at a launch with a little less pressure than ROCstock. At Roctober if you take 30 mins at a pad you are not holding up the launch. A few people that I talked to mentioned that they wanted to be certified BEFORE ROCstock so they can launch high power at ROCstock.
Crowds and Safety - KidsAs far as camping goes, I have brought many Cub and Boy scout troops up to ROCstock and ROCtober. For the younger kids and the adult leaders, a ROCstock can be a bit overwhelming as far as camping and safety goes. Tough to have a bunch of younger kids at the event with the number of adults that go roaming around. Less of an issue for Boy Scouts. I would be interested in feedback from other group leaders.
Roctober Vibe - At ROCstock?Just a thought, if we wanted to create an event within an event we could set up an area (I'm thinking east end 1/2 way down the flag line from the range head) where we could have a set of small pads.
* Have 15-20 rods set up only for 1/2a to D rockets, simple to set up maybe 3 or 4 group pads of 5 rod each * Let the mini-LCO launch at his discretion in parallel with the main launch (stop during larger or heads up launches from a safety standpoint) but run at the same time. * Give the LCO a megaphone, be able to be be heard locally but not over power the main PA system * Have areas roped off for scout groups to camp in this area, create a kid friendly zone in some prime real estate. * Have 'first time launch' RSO available, someone to help the first timers prep and launch. This would take some of the LCO delays from the main launch while providing a low stress into to newbies. At ROCtober, many of the regular kids did this, Payton for example. * Only run it for part of the event. Maybe only 8-3 on Saturday. If run on Sunday, it could close early enough to have it put away before getting in the way of the main cleanup. * Don't use it as a replacement for the traditional front pads, just use it as an alternative to the front pads. * Safety, we would really need to look at this from a safety standpoint, I don't want to propose something that reduces safety at the event. * It would take 2-3 volunteers to run it, this may be a problem, would it draw from the limited number of volunteers, OR since it is onlylow power could we (is this allowed) have it partially kid run? Could this be 'training' for RSO. We could have a sign up sheet,
when the troops sign in, one adult needs to sign up for a shift. * Could we 'deputize' an adult leader in the packs for 'limited RSO' low mini-range head only, kits only?Recruiting, NAR Jr membership is $25 push these at the event, free launch for the kid with a JR membership. What does ROC get per JR membership?
ROC membership, $15 per day or $60 per year. I think we can use ROCtober as an opportunity to up-sell ROC We should push ROC memberships as an alternative to paying the daily fee. ROCtober is a good chance to do this when you have the adults and kids, push ROC memberships.
Bottom Line, I like ROCtober as a stand alone event, having said that if the events are combined, there are ways of keeping the ROCtober vibe at a ROCstock.
Mike Kramer P.S. still taking donations for ROCtober-stock-fest Scavenger Hunt On 6/21/2012 7:57 AM, Allen H Farrington wrote:
No problem, which two of the three do you want to campaign on? BTW, ROCtober is currently only Sat & Sunday. And no, nothing is off the table... Allen -------------------------------------------------------------------- Allen H. Farrington 818-653-2284 web: http://www.allenfarrington.org On Jun 20, 2012, at 8:31 PM, Jeff Gortatowsky wrote:And I should not run because I can not COUNT my platform points!!! :D ---------------------------------------Jeff Gortatowsky, Redondo Beach, CA | Twitter: JeffGortatowsky | Yahoo: indanaptFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/jeffgortatowsky Blog @ http://skepticalastronomer.wordpress.com"(Scientific) Skepticism is not a set of beliefs, it is a set of methods for asking questions about reality." -- Doctor Steven Novella------------------------------------------------------------------------ *From:* Jeff Gortatowsky <indanapt@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:indanapt@xxxxxxxxx>>*To:* "roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>" <roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>>*Sent:* Wednesday, June 20, 2012 8:28 PM *Subject:* Re: [roc-chat] Re: ROC News and RequestsI vote against this. My personal recollections of the November ROCStock is a bunch of Southern California weenies bitching about the overnight lows. ;)My recollections from 1999 to 2004, yes I missed 7 years of ROCStocks in the 2000's, is the flying weather being excellent with me getting in FAR FAR more flights at the November ROCstock than in the June ROCStock and it's afternoon W.Rather I think a TWO day ROCtober (Sat and part of Sunday) can serve us better. How many people and 'yoots' make it out on Friday? A shorter ROCtober would make the whole experience less bothersome as the volunteers dont have to be out there until Sat morning or late Friday. And hell, they do that now. ;)My vote is no. Keep the November ROCstock and shorten ROCtober to 2 days.JMO Now lets stir the pot.As for running for the BOD, if there were benefits; like BOD and there invitees only launches; or BOD members don't wait in line for pad; BOD member get discounts at Whats Up Hobbies (not sure about the legality of that); I might look more favorably on it.Why should I expect that? Why shouldn't I just be a BOD member for no benefit what-so-ever. Good question. I have no answer for that. And therefore, I should not run. Agreed? Oui!If I DID run my platform would be on two points:1) I'd lobby to get *all* pads up off the ground some (sorry but I am getting old)2) Have a low power range that is run as a misfire alley. (Yes I am aware of the issues like - getting it staffed. And the ridiculous (IMO) "But the kids want the adults watching..." too bad... there is no reason the MPR and HPR pads should be waiting for the lighter LPR pads to launch, ever. Move the LPR pads X amount west or south and make a misfire alley ring.3) Give a shot at a wireless checkin network for iPhone and Android users.But not too worry! I will not run as item 2 is a non-starter :) ---------------------------------------Jeff Gortatowsky, Redondo Beach, CA | Twitter: JeffGortatowsky | Yahoo: indanaptFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/jeffgortatowsky Blog @ http://skepticalastronomer.wordpress.com"(Scientific) Skepticism is not a set of beliefs, it is a set of methods for asking questions about reality." -- Doctor Steven Novella------------------------------------------------------------------------
