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 6, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park.

Registration for the E.L. Cord Tissue Paper Balloon Lanch is required via https://bit.ly/GRBR24_TissuePaper
*Registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and teachers are required to have attended a 2024 workshop. To be eligible for registration, public school, private school and homeschool teachers are required to take a 2024 workshop. Only approved, registered 5th grade classrooms can attend this event.*

**The Tissue Paper Balloon Launch is now full. You can still register to be placed on the waitlist. It is still highly encouraged to attend the Tissue Paper Workshop as if a spot to attend the launch opens up, it is required to have attended the Workshop!**

BIG NEWS – Thanks to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, your classroom has a chance to win a delightful doughnut party for your classroom! Sign up today for a chance to fuel your classroom experience with delicious treats and unforgettable fun. Winner will be drawn on Friday, September 6. The doughnut party can be redeemed during the 2024-25 school year!

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. You can RSVP here: https://bit.ly/GRBR24_TPBLWorkshop

Tissue Paper Balloon Launch Workshop #1
Date: July 31, 2024
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: 380 Edison Way Reno, NV 89502

*Public school, private school and homeschool teachers are required to take a 2024 workshop*

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 6 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 for registration for the launch!

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
  • 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!