Rocket Builders Have Blast at Stony Creek

Blasts created by blazing projectiles disturbed the usual quiet inside on June 26 when four families gathered to construct and launch their own rockets. 

“Blast Off—Make a Rocket,” an annual event hosted by the Stony Creek Nature Center, gave children and their families the opportunity to build, decorate, then launch their own model rocket. 

The Sunday afternoon event started at the Nature Center when park interpreters Kim Sherwin and Aaron Yilmaz led four families in the construction of the rocket, which included a cardboard body, parachute, nozzle, end cap, flame resistant wadding, and an engine. Participants constructed rockets step-by-step with the help of the interpreters, who hot-glued parts together. Sherwin and Yilmaz inserted the pre-built engines last. 

Various art supplies sat ready for kids who decorated with stickers, crayons, and markers. Sisters Kailyn, 7, and Kendra Walsh, 4, created a “girlie, groovy rocket,” said dad Pat. The girls’ mom, Rachel, added, “This something they’ve never done—something boyish—that’s not so princess. We need to get the princess out of their lives.” 

While decorating, Sherwin shared information on NASA’s latest projects, including missions to Jupiter. She had an Internet site ready to play sound waves from the big red planet and children gathered around the computer to hear the unique noises.

Next, families drove to the Oak Grove picnic site inside Stony Creek—an area with a large clearing—to launch the rockets about 100-150 feet in the air.

With Yilmaz’s help, the child launched the rocket after parents counted down in unison.

“It was so cool, I loved it,” said Nathan Fetters, 8, of Sterling Heights. 

Because there were fewer participants than in the past, children had the chance to launch twice. Each time, they raced out into an open field to collect their rocket after it glided to earth with the help of a parachute. Rocket builders took home their creations and were encouraged to launch again. 

The event ended when Sherwin and Yilmaz launched a large water pressured rocket, with each child having the opportunity to pump it with air. 

Sherwin said the educational program is an exciting—and different—way to have fun at the park.

“For this program, it’s not much of as interpretive program, it’s more just a fun, come on out, get you outside and enjoy,” Yilmaz said. “There’s different ways you can enjoy the outside and having a hobby like rockets is just one way.” 

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