Launch Your Own Balloon

Camp Hertko Helium Balloon Launch

Launch and track your very own helium balloons at the Great Galena Balloon Race for only $1! Just a buck gets you your own balloon tagged so you can identify it on our web site in the weeks following the race.*

Support Camp Hertko Hollow a camp especially for kids with Diabetes. Camp Hertko Hollow is dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth who have diabetes. The goals at camp are: Recreation, Education, Regulation and FUN! Campers enjoy the traditional camp activities while learning about living with diabetes. Meeting other youth and counselors who have diabetes is also a great benefit from the experience.

The Camp Hertko Hollow Helium Balloon Launch happens on Friday and Saturday night at approximately 7:45pm.

Balloons are $1 each. We will launch a balloon for every $1 you donate. You will receive a ticket that identifies your balloon with a number. In the weeks after the race, come back here to see if your balloon was found and how far it went!*

You can launch your balloons by getting them at our event or by contacting us to make a donation. To contact us to make a donation and get your balloons click here.

Send your donation to:

GGBR Helium Balloon
P.O. Box 41
Galena, IL 61036

*not all balloons are found. All balloons and tags are biodegradable.

Track your Balloon

If you have purchased a Camp Hertko Helium Balloon for this years event you can click here and we will post your balloon # and where it was found!

It usually takes a couple of weeks following the Great Galena Balloon Race for information regarding your balloon's flight to start coming in.

We cannot promise that your balloon will be found, but each year more and more are found in all kinds of exciting places! We rely on the follow through of people where ever your balloon lands to let us know the # and location.