The Cub Scout Pinewood Derby is an exciting event for young boys and girls in the Cub Scout program. This annual event is a chance for Cub Scouts to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship as they design and build their own miniature race cars.
Our Derby will take place at 9 am at the Herricks Community Center Cafeteria on Saturday January 21st. We’ll start the check in process at 9. Cars that can’t pass the weigh in or other parts of the check in will have time to be modified and try again before the race starts.
The fastest car in each den will get an award and the fastest car in the Pack overall will get an award plus the chance to race at the county-wide district race. We’re also giving out awards for the best design, funniest car, and a few other categories.
Our local Boy Scout Troop, Troop 201, sets up and runs the race track during the race. They also judge the extra award categories. We’re very thankful that they’ve been able to help year after year with this.
After our event is over, around noon, our neighboring Cub Scout Pack, Pack 201, will use the track for their race that same day.
The Pinewood Derby is a beloved tradition among Cub Scouts, and it’s a great way for kids to learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, and the importance of following through on a project. The Cub Scout Pinewood Derby is also a great way for parents and mentors to bond with their children and teach them valuable life skills.
The first step in participating in the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby is to get an official BSA Derby kit, which includes a block of wood, wheels, and axles. Our Pack supplies the kits to our cub scouts. Once the kit is in hand, it’s time to start designing and building the car. Some Cub Scouts choose to follow a specific design, while others prefer to let their creativity run wild.
The most important thing is to make sure the car is built to the official Pinewood Derby specifications, which include a maximum weight of 5 oz and maximum width of 2 3/4 inches. The cars must also be built using only the wheels and axles from the kit. Wooden derby cars are used by other hobbyists and they sell a variety of specialized wheels and axles. For the cub scouts, this is seen as an unfair advantage. The point isn’t to buy a kit that makes a fast car, the point is to be creative, handy, and have fun with your family in making the car.
Once the car is built, it’s time to paint and decorate it. Many Cub Scouts choose to paint their cars with their favorite colors and designs.
The day of the Pinewood Derby is a day of excitement, as all the Cub Scouts gather together to race their cars. The cars are placed on a track, and they race down the track in heats. The winners of each heat advance to the next round until a champion is crowned.
The Pinewood Derby is not just about winning, it’s about having fun, learning new skills, and building friendships. The Cub Scout Pinewood Derby is a memorable experience for all participants and is a great opportunity for kids to learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, and the importance of following through on a project.
