Who is with your camper, and how the range runs

License

Adults to children

• 1:81 adult to 8 children

  9 to 10 years

  Group size: 8

• 1:101 adult to 10 children

  11 to 12 years

  Group size: 10

• 1:101 adult to 10 children

  13 to 14 years

  Group size: 10

Staff checks and training

• Background checks
• CPR and first aid
• Medication training

Safety routines

• Signing in and out

  An adult on your list signs your camper in and out at the lab door every day and shows photo ID until we know them. Campers do not leave the building without a counselor.

• Launch day

  A rope marks the pad and a second rope marks where campers stand. A range officer reads the checklist and calls the countdown. Only adults handle motors and igniters.

• Tools and batteries

  Campers use hand tools and low-voltage kits. Batteries are charged, stored and swapped by staff, and tools are counted out at the start of a block and counted back in at the end.

• Heat, water and shade

  June in Alabama is hot. Outdoor time moves to the cooler part of the day, water bottles are filled at every break, and on the hottest afternoons the whole day stays inside the air-conditioned lab.

• Lightning and wind

  When thunder is heard or the wind is too strong for a launch, everyone goes inside and the launch waits. We text families when a launch moves.

• Allergies, medicine and illness

  Tell us at registration, and we ask what we need privately. Counselors who give medicine have medication training. A camper with a fever stays home.