HOW FAR CAN YOU LAUNCH A PUMPKIN?
Designing and building a trebuchet, catapult, air cannon or slingshot is a great activity for families, classes or
organizations. If you’re craving a challenging experience requiring creativity, ingenuity, and a love of launching
stuff, then join us for the Pumpkin Launching Competition at New Life Church’s annual Fall Festival!
If you need a little help getting started building your pumpkin launcher, check out these websites and please read
the following rules completely.
www.trebuchet.com
www.thehurl.org
www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Sling-Shot
LAUNCHER INFORMATION
Machine Setup
Setup begins at 8:00 am on Saturday, October 27th. All machines must be setup and ready for inspection by 4:00
pm on Sunday October 28th.
Machine Inspection
On Sunday, October 28th starting at 4:00 pm, all launching machines and pumpkins will be inspected for safety.
This inspection will include a test launch for safety and will be based on the RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT
FOLLOW.
MACHINES MUST NOT POSE ANY OBVIOUS SAFETY RISKS, and may be disqualified at any time during the
contest if deemed as such a risk. If the launching machine and/or pumpkins do not pass inspection, the
pumpkins and/or machines will be disqualified. A safety inspection will take place Sunday, October 28th prior to
the launch, and all safety rules will apply.
YOU MUST SUPPLY YOUR OWN PUMPKINS THAT WEIGH BETWEEN 6 and 8 POUNDS.
PRACTICE LAUNCHING
AFTER passing safety inspection, registered teams are allowed to perform trial launches. Each AUTHORIZED
team will have an opportunity to practice launch before the competition.
The only objects allowed for practice launching are pumpkins, gallon water jugs, basketballs, and other similar
fruits or balls are allowed. Any teams launching before being authorized, or launching unauthorized objects may
be disqualified.
TEAMS
Each team must register to enter the contest. All registration forms and waivers must be turned in before the
competition.
Teams must choose a team captain the represent the team and be a point of contact for the New Life team.
JUDGING
There is more to pumpkin launching than just the mechanical elements, it’s about fun, community, sportsmanship,
creativity and entertainment too!
The Pumpkin launching judges will award each machine an overall score based on points achieved in the
categories below. Points will be awarded in the following four categories:
1. Machine Design: Twenty percent (20%) of the total score will go toward the most creatively designed
structure. Points are given to the team that builds the most interesting, contemporary, historical, elegant, ugly or
eccentric launching contraption. Wood, steel, or plastic materials are encouraged. Bolts, springs, rubber bands,
leather or fabric are all eligible.
5 points possible: 1=poor 3=good 5=wow!
2. Team Presentation: Twenty percent (20%) of the total score will go to Team Presentation. Here, creativity and
decoration is the object. Dress up your pumpkin chucker as an animal, plant, or any object you can think of! This
is the place to get carried away! Team members are also encouraged to dress up to continue their theme. Keep
in mind, this is a family event – please keep your decorations and costumes appropriate to children!
5 points possible: 1=poor 3=good 5=wow!
3. Distance & Accuracy: Push, toss, sling, throw, catapult, or launch – the object for this category is to accurately
hit the furthest main distance marker measured from your machine’s center line. Forty percent (40%) of the total
score will go to the team whose launcher moves the pumpkin the furthest with the greatest degree of accuracy.
(Twenty percent for distance and twenty percent for accuracy.)
Distance: 5 points possible. No points will be awarded if the pumpkin is launched zero feet.
Distance Pt. System
1pt= 1’-10’, 2pt= 11’–49’, 3pt= 50’–149’, 4pt= 150’–299’, 5pt= 300’-450’ (1 bonus point for each additional 100’
after 450’)
Accuracy: Five points possible. No points awarded if a pumpkin lands more than 50’ from the center line.
1pt= 31’–49’, 2pt= 21’–30’, 3pt= 11’– 20’, 4pt= 1’– 10’, 5pt= direct hit!
4. Good Sportsmanship: Twenty percent (20%) of your team’s score will be awarded as “Good Sport” points.
In this category each team will start with a perfect score. Points will be deducted for not displaying sportsmanlike conduct on the field, not obeying Pumpkin Launching staff or rules, etc. Five points possible. One point will
be deducted for each incident.
Decisions of the judges are final. Team scores will be announced at the awards ceremony.
Prize: A Really Cool Trophy will be awarded to the top team. Judges decisions are final.
Official Rules & Regulations
MACHINES
No Air Cannons allowed this year.
Machines and pumpkins must pass the SAFETY INSPECTION; neither can be dangerous to anything.
Inspectors are authorized to disqualify any machine or team that is even perceived as dangerous.
For this first competition, teams are only competing for the best score regardless of machine category.
Machines must run with HUMAN AND/OR KINETIC POWERED ENERGY, which may include: counterweights, springs, bicycles, rubber bands, muscle, etc. No explosives, open flames or external water
propulsion are allowed.
All machines must have a SAFETY DEVICE made of chain, cable or bolts to prevent accidental
launching.
WEIGHTS, STAKES AND BRACES are allowed and encouraged to immobilize machines for safety.
BACKSTOPS are required for any machine that can fire backwards--regardless of previous performance.
Machines may be disqualified for shooting straight up in the air. (New Life Church will provide a backstop)
PUMPKINS
YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN PUMPKINS!
All competition pumpkins must weigh between 6 and 8 lbs.
All pumpkins brought for practice or competition launches must be inspected.
Pumpkins must not undergo any alterations, including: air ducts, wings, fins, or any type of lubrication.
TEAM MEMBERS
All participating individuals (including judges) must accept and sign a DAMAGES AND INJURY
LIABILITY WAIVER FORM. No participants will be allowed in the pit area without a waiver. Entrants
who are under 18 years of age on or before October 28, 2012 must have a parent or legal guardian sign
a waiver on their behalf. Each team is required to submit a list of names of those who will be operating
the machine, and thus need waivers.
DRUGS AND/OR ALCOHOL are not allowed. Duh!
NO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 6 will be allowed in the launching area for any reason. No
exceptions!
NONCOMPLIANCE of any team or team member with any of the competition rules, including
unsportsmanlike conduct, is grounds for immediate disqualification or penalty points to be assessed at
the judges’ and inspectors’ discretion.
COMPETION SCHEDULE
October 28th:
FINAL SAFETY INSPECTIONS - 5 pm - 6 pm
LAUNCHING 6pm – 7pm
AWARDS CEREMONY - 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 27, 2012:
8 am Launch pad opens
8 am – 6 pm Machine setup
Sunday, October 28, 2012:
4 pm – 5 pm Machine setup & inspection – Practice launching after your machine has been inspected
5 pm – Festival begins
5 pm – 6 pm No one allowed in the launching area at this time except authorized personnel
6 pm Let the launching begin!
7 pm Competition ends
7:30 pm Award ceremony at the Main Stage
All machines must be removed from the site by October 30th.
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
NEW LIFE CHURCH OF DENTON, INC.
Name of Participant:______________________________________________________________
Address of Participant:____________________________________________________________
City:_________________________________State:__________Zip Code:___________________
Home Phone:____________________________Work Phone:_____________________________
I, the undersigned, individually, or in the capacity of a parent, legal guardian, or managing conservator of
a minor (participant) under my care, custody and control, in consideration of the privilege of allowing the
undersigned or minor participant to participate in the specific New Life Church of Denton, Inc. (hereafter
“Church”) activity, event, or program listed below, do hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors and
administrators, covenant and agree to INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS the Church, its employees,
agents, successors, assigns, sponsors and volunteers assisting in the Church activities, events, or
programs described below, from any and all damages, claims or liability of any kind, whatsoever, by
reason of damage to property or injury to third persons occasioned by any error, omission or negligent
act by the undersigned or minor participant.
I further do hereby expressly RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND HOLD HARMLESS the Church, its
employees, agents, successors assigns, sponsors and volunteers assisting in the following described
Church activities, events, or programs, from any and all damages, claims or liability of any kind,
whatsoever, from any injury to the undersigned or the death of the undersigned or damage to the property
of the undersigned or minor participant, arising or resulting from my participation or the participation
of the minor for which the undersigned has care, custody or control, in the following described Church
activity, event, or program, including transportation to and from the Church activity, event or program
specified below, including the presence of the undersigned or minor participant on Church facilities,
including facilities not owned by the Church but utilized for Church purposes, INCLUDING CLAIMS
AND DAMAGES ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE CHURCH,
ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS.
I understand that this “Waiver and Release of Liability” is for the activity, event, or program as follows:
NEW LIFE CHURCH FALL FESTIVAL ‘PUNKIN CHUNKIN’ COMPETITION. I understand that this
“Waiver and Release of Liability” is for the period of SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2012 through MONDAY,
OCTOBER 29, 2012.
I understand that certain activities, events, and programs of the Church of a physical nature involve
some risk and by registering for such activity, event, or program of the Church, there is an assumption
of the risk by the undersigned and the minor participant.
Further, I hereby give my consent for New Life Church personnel to seek and obtain appropriate
emergency medical treatment for me/the minor participant.
If medical treatment is called for the undersigned or the minor participant, I consent to allow a
representative of New Life Church to transport me or the minor participant to the appropriate medical
facility for treatment and hereby give my consent to the medical facility to treat myself and minor
participant if admitted by a valid representative of the organization.
I understand that I am responsible for the payment of all expenses incurred relating to my own or the
minor participant’s medical treatment.
Medical provider (or medical provider for the minor participant)__________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Policy Number:__________________________________________________________________
I, the undersigned, affirm that I have the capacity at law to execute this release either individually or
in the capacity as parent, legal guardian, or managing conservator in behalf of the minor participant,
and have read this release and indemnification and understand all its terms. I understand it is a
legal document and to sign it I could give up significant legal rights or remedies available to me, the
undersigned, and the minor participant. I further understand that I am entitled to legal counsel at my
expense prior to signing said document, and by signing said document, I acknowledge that I have either
been appraised of my rights and the rights of the minor participant or choose not to retain legal counsel
for advice. I execute it voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance.
Signature:_____________________________________________
Date:_________________
DL #:__________________________
Parent or legal guardian signature is required if participant is under 18 years of age
Parent or Managing Conservator:
Name (print)____________________________________________________________________
Signature:_____________________________________________
Date:_________________
Relation to Minor:________________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip:___________________________________________________________________
Home Phone (_____)_______________________ Work Phone (_____)_____________________
REGISTRATION FORM
Your registration form must be RECEIVED by Sunday, October 21, 2012 to avoid score deduction.
Please return registration form as soon as possible.
TEAM NAME: _____________________________________________
LAUNCHER TYPE (Circle One):
SLING SHOT
CATAPULT
TREBUCHET
Names of Team Members:
Captain:__________________________________________________________________
Member #2:_______________________________________________________________
Member #3:_______________________________________________________________
Member #4:_______________________________________________________________
Member #5:_______________________________________________________________
Member #6:_______________________________________________________________
TEAM CAPTAIN INFORMATION
Phone __________________________ E-mail _______________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________________ State ________ Zip ____________________
Please attach a description of your machine (include a sketch if possible) that includes approximate
height, width and weight of the machine. All entries will be kept confidential until competition day. All
team members will be required to sign a liability release form before launchi ng begins. The Safety
Inspector will have liability release forms and they will need to be returned to the Safety Inspector
before any practice or competition launch.
RETURN REGISTRATION FORM TO: Jeff Creeach
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: (940) 458-3320
Attn: Jeff Creeach
MAIL: New Life Church
Attn: Jeff Creeach
1350 Milam Road
Sanger, TX 76266
See you at the New Life Fall Festival!