Founded in 1957, the NAR is the oldest and largest spacemodeling organization in the world with over 8,000 members and 200 affiliated clubs (known as Sections) across the U.S.

The current standing committees include Membership, Education, Technical Services (“NARTS”), NARTREK (skills education program), National Events, Periodicals, Section Activities, High Power Rocketry Services, Standards and Testing, Safety, and NAR Historian.

[8] A limited number of $2000 scholarships are available each year to NAR members between the ages of 17 and 22 who are planning to attend, or are currently enrolled in a college, university or technical school.

The partnership has been very successful with a 4-H team from Georgetown, Texas winning first place at TARC and becoming the international champions in 2013.

[15] The NAR and the Civil Air Patrol signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2014 to become partners in educational rocketry.

[19] NAR members aged 14 through 17 may earn Junior Level 1 certification by successfully building and flying a high-power rocket with an H or I class motor.

The principal restriction on Junior Level 1 rocketeers is that an adult must handle, prepare, and install all high-power motors.

The applicant must submit detailed plans for approval before beginning construction of the rocket, employ electronic deployment of the recovery system (normally a drogue parachute at maximum altitude followed by a main parachute a few hundred feet above the ground), and successfully fly the rocket in the presence of the certification team.

The three-day event includes technical presentations, guest speakers, and a Saturday night banquet, and is often held at a historic destination such as Cape Canaveral or the Museum of Flight.

NARAM is normally held during late July or early August at a site large enough for simultaneous competition, sport, and high-power rocket flights.

Today, NARAM may include an FAI Spacemodeling Team flyoff (meant to select a team of competitors who represent the US at a world level competition); a sport flying range featuring model and high-power rockets, an auction to support scholarship and education funds, research and development presentations, and a closing banquet where performance awards are given out.

On July 1, 2017, after nearly 3 years of development, and in response to a steadily falling number of members involved in competition, a new US Model Rocket sporting Code (USMRSC) was implemented.

The intent of the NRC being to make contest rocketry more approachable, less expensive, and allow young members easier access to competition.

An annual rules change process (RCP) permits NAR members to propose improvements and corrections to the Sporting Code.

Following the comment period, the authors of the proposals have one opportunity to adjust their RCP based on member feedback.

It is published bi-monthly and features regional launch coverage, construction and technical articles, rocket plans, scale data, competition tips, and product reviews.

A typical issue may include breaking news, a safety note, and links to popular pages on the NAR's website.

It contains technical tips for beginning, intermediate, and advanced rocketeers, as well as an introduction to NAR's insurance policy and member services.

Topics include curriculum suggestions, aerospace history, TARC guidance, and other rocketry-related information of interest to the classroom teacher.

NARTS offerings include technical publications, NAR-themed clothing, and supplies for running competition meets.

NARTREK Cadet consists of a series of four achievement levels in rocketry, each requiring more skill to complete than the previous one.

S&T also re-tests each approved motor type every five years to ensure repeatability and help identify creeping degradation in manufacturing or distribution practices.

The policy limit is currently $5,000,000 per occurrence, with a $5,000 deductible per bodily injury and property damage claim.