Fox Valley Rocketeers History
On November 14, 2005, seven rocketeers met at the Crystal Lake Public Library to start the formation of what is now the Fox Valley Rocketeers (FVR), NAR Section # 683.
Meeting Places:
Since that initial meeting, we have met at seven different meeting locations:
- Crystal Lake Public Library
- McHenry Public Library
- Woodstock Public Library
- Prairie Ridge High School, Crystal Lake, IL
- Challenger Center, Woodstock, IL
- Woodstock North High School, Woodstock, IL
- Via Google Meet (current meeting “location”)
Launch Sites:
FVR had its first launch on April 23, 2006 at the Chain O’ Lakes Eagles RC flying field in Ringwood, IL. Rachel Kaplow made the first flight, using her Estes Intruder on an A10-3T and the flight was completely successful. Since then, FVR has safely flown over 7,800 rockets at five different launch sites:
- Chain ‘O Lakes Eagles RC Field, Ringwood, IL
- Raintree Park, Woodstock, IL
- Stephens Farm, Marengo, IL
- Kishwaukee Park, Woodstock, IL (current model rocket site)
- Hughes Seed Farm, Woodstock, IL (current high power rocket site)
Outreach:
FVR members have assisted all kinds of groups and organizations with their rocketry activities, including:
- Woodstock’s Challenger Center
- School classes
- STEM teachers
- Scout troops
- American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) ARC Teams
National Events:
FVR members have attended NAR National events all over the country:
- NARCON, the annual mid-winter convention
- NASA’s Student Launch Initiative (SLI)
- America Rocketry Challenge (ARC) national finals
- National Sport Launch (NSL)
- National Model Rocketry Championships (NARAM)
Competition:
Since 2018, some members have been active flyers in the NAR’s National Rocketry Competition (NRC). In 2022 and 2023, FVR was the NAR’s National Champion club.
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