Cub Scouts have a blast shooting off rockets

MONTICELLO — Local Cub Scouts had a blast this weekend as they aimed for the sky.

To conclude its annual Rocket Academy, Monticello’s Cub Scout Pack 274 held a Rocket Launch Day Saturday morning on the field next to Monticello High School.

This is the sixth year the pack has held the program, which lets young engineers design their own model rockets and then shoot their cool creations off into the sky, inspiring curiosity in science and engineering.

“It’s a great way to start the scouting year,” said Cub Master Eric Pearson. “It gets everyone involved right away. What kid doesn’t like seeing a rocket shoot up into the sky?”

Saturday’s event saw a large turnout, with brilliantly blue sunny skies and warm temperatures bringing many families out to help cheer on their Scouts.

“This is a good rocket turnout,” said Scout dad Andy Marquette of Monticello. “It might be a record.”

While Pearson set the rockets up on the launch device, urging folks to maintain a safe distance, each Scout had the opportunity to hit the trigger that would activate the blast.

With all eyes on the sky, a chorus of “ooohs” and “ahhs” could be heard as each rocket hurtled upward, leaving a trail of white smoke in its wake.

While a few of the uniquely decorated rockets were duds, failing to launch or quickly fizzling out after take off, many jetted off high into the atmosphere. Several sported parachutes, which made for a slower, more dramatic fall.

Part of the fun for the energetic group of Scouts was chasing after the fallen rockets to retrieve them after each blastoff.

Scout mom Liz Barnes was busy recording the fun on her camera, capturing a video of her 10-year-old son, Crew Barnes, who was participating in the Rocket Academy for his sixth — and final — time. The youngster is aging out of the Cub Scouts after participating throughout his time at Little Mountain Elementary School.

While 7-year-old Piper Peterson was looking forward to shooting off her blue-and-red rocket, taking part for the second year, she was more enthused about adopting a new furry feline friend afterward.

“She’s excited about getting a kitten today,” mom Megan Peterson said.

Piper is one of about five girls in her Cub Scout den.

Another animal lover in the group was 9-year-old Camden Marquette, who participated for a third year, decorating his rocket with puppy stickers over a rainbow background.

Camden has two pet pooches at home, he said, which inspired his doggy design.

Cub Scout Pack 274 is open to all Monticello families with elementary school-aged children in kindergarten through fifth-grade, providing fun and rewarding activities for both boys and girls.

For more information, visit the pack’s website at www.mnpack274.com.