Greetings Teachers –

Since 1991, The Great Reno Balloon Race has provided schoolchildren a chance to positively interact with their community through our E.L. Cord Tissue Paper Balloon Launch.

We invite your 5th grade classroom to discover the wonders and excitement of lighter-than-air flight by participating in the E.L. Cord Tissue Paper Balloon Launch taking place on Friday, September 5, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park.

Registration for the E.L. Cord Tissue Paper Balloon Launch is required – registration to open in Spring 2025.
*Registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and all teachers are required to have attended a 2025 workshop. Teachers will receive program participation approval after workshop has been completed. Only approved, registered 5th grade classrooms can attend this event. Space is limited*

Teacher Workshops:

Teachers are required to attend one of the offered workshops to participate in the E.L. Cord Tissue Paper Balloon Launch with their classes. During the workshops, GRBR will go over building the tissue paper balloons with your classes, how day-of launches will occur and more. Lunch will be provided.

2025 workshop dates TBA

*Regardless of previous participation, all teachers are required to take a workshop each year*

Project Description:

In the weeks leading up to The Great Reno Balloon Race, your class will construct a model hot-air balloon out of tissue paper following a prescribed set of directions.  Your class will then join hundreds of other students from around regional school districts on the morning of Friday, September 5 to launch their balloons.

Important Note: Tissue Paper Balloons must meet standardized building criteria to be launched during the event. It is required to attend one of the offered workshops to practice building the balloons and to be eligible to participate in the launch! Unapproved classes will be turned away at the event.

Reimbursements:

Reimbursements are limited to one dollar ($1) per student and to the following items: tissue paper, construction paper and glue. Please email/mail a copy of your receipt in order to receive reimbursement. We must have these in by October 31.

If you’re looking to get your bus transportation costs covered, you will need to have registered for the event. If approved, your school will pay for the bus invoice, then you will send us a copy of your receipt so we can reimburse you!

Note: We are able to provide Washoe County School District 5th grade classrooms transportation reimbursements. We are unable to reimburse homeschooled classes and private schools for transportation costs per our grant requirements.

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to seeing your balloons on the field!

• Please click HERE for the Teacher Approval Form – registration to open in Spring 2025
• Please click HERE for instructions on building a Tissue Paper Balloon
• Please click HERE for a video detailing how to make a Tissue Paper Balloon

Thank you to the E.L. Cord Foundation for making this program possible.

Thank you to Greater Nevada Credit Union and the RennerVation Foundation for partnering with us to bring this event to life!