We are in the middle of a discussions about having cub scouts attend a Chinese Lantern festival as a pack activity

 

Here is a link to the festival

 

https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkStateChineseLanternFestival/?fref=nf

 

Here is a link to the BSA policy on Sky (Chinese) Lanterns

 

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Alerts/SkyLanterns.aspx

 

Would you do this as a Pack event?

 

 

Upon further review it seems these lanterns are lite using LED's.

it is also $15 for adults and $12 for youth to attend so I don't think the Pack will be doing it

 

Never mind

With LED's what is the heat source for the lanterns?

Looking at the website...

 

http://www.lanternfestnys.com/

 

I'd have no hesitation about doing a cub outing there. It looks fantastic. Looks like LEDs inside paper/wood models that don't fly.

 

It doesn't say anything about mass releases of flaming sky lanterns. So from what I can see, no problem. 

 

I can see why, if they did do a release, you'd be more hesitant about going. There's been lots of negative stories over this side of the pond about damage to wildlife and livestock, and setting barns and building on fire etc. They were basically a fad whose time has passed.

 

In my opinion, lanterns are not much more than litter once you let them go.

Even though the original topic is no longer relevant (re flying fire).....

 

I've never done that, but always thought it would probably be interesting to do and see.

It would bother me sending off something that wasn't quickly biodegradable, but personally I wouldn't have a huge problem in doing it

if done carefully and responsibly

and not over populated or built up areas

and not during a drought

with very small candles perhaps, that wouldn't burn long (and far)

etc....

 

perhaps tether them to a fishing reel?

Yep. International  franchise traveling display.  Other than taking the Cubs  to walk tu the display, eat some Moo Goo Gai Pan,  how would your Cubs participate?

  This looks/sounds much like the Christmas lights displays that spring up around here, put up by franchise companies to help be a fundraiser for local charities. Drive or walk thru,  enjoy the pretty displays, marvel at the clever animated figures.  

The annual display at Seneca State Park here in Munky County MD is always crowded.  Dragon in the lake, jumping pandas, eagles flying among the trees, sparkling snowflakes,  very pretty.   Raises mucho money for several worthy causes.  Takes almost an hour to drive thru.

Even though the original topic is no longer relevant (re flying fire).....

 

I've never done that, but always thought it would probably be interesting to do and see.

It would bother me sending off something that wasn't quickly biodegradable, but personally I wouldn't have a huge problem in doing it

if done carefully and responsibly

and not over populated or built up areas

and not during a drought

with very small candles perhaps, that wouldn't burn long (and far)

etc....

 

perhaps tether them to a fishing reel?

Done them with my family, and they are fun. On the ones we tried, the heat source (a small votive candle) is suspended by wire ... so they do leave a trace ... less of a trace than a model rocket or even a firecracker, but it's out there nonetheless. Normal operations are that they float as long as the flame is lit. Then they descend gradually as the heat source cools. They are cold-out by the time they touch down. Of course, nobody worries about normal operations.

 

Tethering them would make matters worse, because the wind would cause them to tilt, increasing the likelihood of the flame igniting the lantern. (On the other hand, the boys might enjoy reenacting the Hindenburg. )

Sorry to hear that cost is an issue for this - have you approached your pack members to see if they would be willing to do this as an activity knowing there would be an extra charge (and be willing to tap in to pack funds for "scholarships" for those that truly can't afford it, as many Troops do for summer camp)?

 

Some clarifications here.

 

Sky Lanterns are NOT Chinese Lanterns - regardless of how they are being marketed and described on the internet (Wikipedia, BSA site on the official policy, etc).  Chinese Lanterns are an old (very old) tradition - they are collapsible decorative paper lanterns. 

 

As for sky lanterns in New York State?  I wouldn't worry about BSA policy regarding Sky Lanterns - New York State Law supercedes BSA policy and Sky Lanterns are banned in New York State and in at least 29 others (Illinois among them).  Though they may be marketed as being fun and safe, the fact is that you are releasing a flame in the air and there have been incidents where the lanterns themselves catch fire then land on buildings and or on land causing fires.  If flaming leaf litter from a mountain 12 miles away can be blamed as one of the causes of the devastating fires in Gatlinburg after Thanksgiving, then surely sky lanterns pose a similar threat.  They may be marketed as being cold out when they land, but can anyone guarantee that? 

The reason you haven't heard of tethering sky lanterns is because they can't handle the weight of the tether. The small flame provides just barely enough thrust to lift them.

 

Barry

Just thinking "out loud", but I'm thinking a smaller candle might be the trick... like a birthday candle.  Wouldn't burn very long so the thing's not likely to leave your sight I'd guess.

The activity in the OP  is NOT  this : https://midimagic.sgc-hosting.com/candbal.htm

 

This is the display we see here in Munky County MD: (another version of the NY thing):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MJFa392gnc

and   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkT_BycQd3Y

 

I think it would be a neat side trip for the Cubbies and their families.