Overview
The Pinewood Derby is one of Pack 7's most important event of Cub Scouting of the year and teaches creativity, physics and pride. Cub Scouts are boys who are in 1st grade through 5th grade. The pinewood derby was designed for the younger boys since they weren't allowed to be in the soap box derbies when scouting first became popular.
The derby begins with each scout receiving a kit that includes a small block of wood, 4 plastic wheels, 4 axles (nails), a few number decals and a set of rules. The concept behind the derby is for the scout, with the help of his father, to build a car of some shape or form out of the block of pine and race against the other scouts in his pack. The car can only be 2 3/4" wide and 7" long, not going over 5 ounces of weight and the width between the wheels - 1 3/4" so it will fit on the track. Rules vary between Scout Packs but most only allow you to use the parts that come out of the Official Pinewood Derby Kit and the use of dry graphite for lubricant at the wheels.
Some may think that Pinewood Derby is a general term but it is actually a registered trademark of the Boy Scouts of America. Other organizations have these same types of races but use different names such as Awana or Club Car. So there are various other derby car kits but scouts are only allowed to use the one approved by BSA.
The cub scout is allowed to shape the car in any way he would like as long as it stays within the measurements approved by the pack or council organization he is a part of. I have seen many shapes and sizes from detailed funny cars to the basic wedge, which is the easiest and most popular to build. The father of the scout usually helps quite a bit for the youngest of scouts and gradually allows the boy to do more as he gets older in the scouting program. Use of power tools is allowed as the boy and his father do this on their own time at home. Some packs do offer workshops to get the boys started and also to help out single moms.
There are usually two divisions to compete in during the Derby. A scout may detail his car into an unusual shape such as a pencil for the "Best of Show" division or he may concentrate more on the actual race itself and build it for speed only. Some manage to accomplish winning in both divisions with a cool looking super fast car.
There are numerous ideas on how to make a pinewood derby car go fast and this is the ultimate challenge of each scout (and Dad!). The car's power is derived only from gravity,
The derby begins with each scout receiving a kit that includes a small block of wood, 4 plastic wheels, 4 axles (nails), a few number decals and a set of rules. The concept behind the derby is for the scout, with the help of his father, to build a car of some shape or form out of the block of pine and race against the other scouts in his pack. The car can only be 2 3/4" wide and 7" long, not going over 5 ounces of weight and the width between the wheels - 1 3/4" so it will fit on the track. Rules vary between Scout Packs but most only allow you to use the parts that come out of the Official Pinewood Derby Kit and the use of dry graphite for lubricant at the wheels.
Some may think that Pinewood Derby is a general term but it is actually a registered trademark of the Boy Scouts of America. Other organizations have these same types of races but use different names such as Awana or Club Car. So there are various other derby car kits but scouts are only allowed to use the one approved by BSA.
The cub scout is allowed to shape the car in any way he would like as long as it stays within the measurements approved by the pack or council organization he is a part of. I have seen many shapes and sizes from detailed funny cars to the basic wedge, which is the easiest and most popular to build. The father of the scout usually helps quite a bit for the youngest of scouts and gradually allows the boy to do more as he gets older in the scouting program. Use of power tools is allowed as the boy and his father do this on their own time at home. Some packs do offer workshops to get the boys started and also to help out single moms.
There are usually two divisions to compete in during the Derby. A scout may detail his car into an unusual shape such as a pencil for the "Best of Show" division or he may concentrate more on the actual race itself and build it for speed only. Some manage to accomplish winning in both divisions with a cool looking super fast car.
There are numerous ideas on how to make a pinewood derby car go fast and this is the ultimate challenge of each scout (and Dad!). The car's power is derived only from gravity,