Hey everyone,

HWK is working on putting a kite program together for "at risk youth" kids at a local school. The program will be focused on powerkites and flying them but I want part of the program to entail actually making some very basic foil/sled type kites.

I've never made a kite from scratch so this is all new to me as well.

Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts I'd appreciate the input. These kids are amazing when they get into something and I think they would eat this kind of thing up.:wee:

Thanks in advance, Chris.

Hey Feyd could you put me into contact with these people i'd like to get in on it as well. I work almost exclusively with at risk kids, and on top of that I have my kite club. I'd like to talk to them as well as pick up some of those designs to see if we could make some kites.

You most likely know about them and depending on age of kids but....I bought some of the pre-made tyvek kites that the kids got to put together and design with paint/markers themselves. It was a big hit. Not exactly power kite in design, but they were a foil.

You can buy them in packs of 20 or ?...You may also try to just look at the design and buy a roll of tyvek or ask a builder friend if they have any left over from a job if $$ is an issue.

http://2e5.com/

This site has all sorts of cool designs.

Very cool, my brother I works for 4H of southern Maine and wants me to get something going with him, kites and kids this summer

www.paperang.com

- it is not a powerkite, but nontheless a ver easy to built, flying object with a surprising high performance.

• AKA Kites In The Classroom Handbook
  
• Drachen Foundation Kite (Making) Lessons (based on age)
  
• Drachen Foundation Kite Kits
  
• Phantom Star Kite Kites (No Sew Rokkaku and New Sew Ram Air Pocket Sled)
  
• How to make a Sled Kite from a Kinko's Bag
  
• The Simple Polymorphic Sled Kite
  

ATB,
Sam

This dude just made one from a TARP!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0bJ_DNM9qI

This is great input guys I really appreciate it. BEC we carry HQ and they have a line of those type of kites. Thought about going that route but these kids are a little past that age wise. Mainekite, I do the bike thing in the summer time but if you want some assistence from me let me know. Indigo, as always, awesome. Ditto Blade and Herc. Fly I'll keep you up to date on what we come up with.

Thanks again everyone.

I think http://2e5.com/ is the one to go with. A Nasa-like wing without all the work of the bridals(nost of the work).

This seems a fair kite for a real pulling power, controlable 4-line(quad-they can even make the handles!), crashable powerkite that's easiest to make... and soon use.

Sled is easy...but what control?. Foil?..... too advanced and too long to make.. complexity makes easier to mis-sew..?
If the at- risk kids are frustrated on too long or complex a project...Chris will be at risk from these kids:shocked2:

Feyd,
Surfplan has a hobbyist version of their software:
Surfplan Hobby version 5.2

Quote:

Originally posted by skimtwashington I think http://2e5.com/ is the one to go with. A Nasa-like wing without all the work of the bridals(nost of the work).

Chris didn't specify where funding is coming from but even on the used market X functional sewing machines and support supplies would be fairly spendy. Not to mention a classroom type environment that would be able to support them all being set up simultaneously.

The advantage of new-sew Tyvek kites are they they basically just require a workspace with long tables and folding chairs.

From Chris's original post it sounded that the kids would be exposed to foils/powerkites of a RTF flavor and the construction of a simpler type kite was supplemental.

ATB,
Sam

Thanks Feyd, i'd appreciate that greatly

Here's a simple cheap "kite" that kids could make. Looks like a kite but is used for high speed ice fun.

video of homemade skatesale in NY on black ice- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmsoPEv8_nU
video of production skatesail in Sweden where they race in their own class- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCQtmccgJRs

Plans- http://www.stevetiffany.com/skatesail.html

I still want to make a duct tape tarp kite....just for giggles...

A 6x9ft tarp would make a 5M kite...very low aspect ratio...though..

Couple of tip battons and inflatable LE....could get interesting...
WAIT...POOL NOODLES!!! Oh ya....now we're on to something!!

That " tarp " kite in the video from crazy H is too cool for school!

Just the kind of thing to keep a troubled child out of trouble ! Duct tape wins again!

I want one!