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Pinewood Derby: Boy Scouts, Cars, Rules, Tracks And Trophies
By:
Published: December 4, 2007
When the Boy Scouts of America get together, it's not all about Kumbaya and merit badges. It's not just about Scout's Honor and always being prepared. It's not just about the uniforms, the survival techniques, and the camping skills. There's truly more to this organization than what's portrayed in the movies, and the stereotypes are of course, always not spot on.
When the younger division of the Boy Scouts get together, there's also a creative, competitive spirit stirred in these young boys. Trophies and other awards are at stake, but the joy of participating in the pinewood derby is truly like no other.
The pinewood derby was created by Don Murphy, who was a Cubmaster. He had a son that wanted to participate in Soap Box Derby races, but because his son wasn't of age yet, Murphy decided to come up with a whole different competition that younger boys can enjoy. And because of a father's desire to make his son happy, the pinewood derby was born. On the 15th of May 1953, Manhattan Beach, California became the first location for the pinewood derby. Cub scouts - the younger members of the Boy Scouts of America - were the energetic competitors in the pinewood derby.
Cub Scout participants are given a block of pinewood, two wheel notches, four plastic wheels, and four nails. These basic items must be part of the derby car, and the participant's creation must reach the required weight of 5 ounces. Also, there is a prescribed length that must be followed in the pinewood derby. Cars must fit on the tracks which will be used by the Cub Scout pack. These rules are strictly implemented, but the Scouts are given the freedom to be creative and they can carve out their cars in any way that they want. If the cars don't reach the weight requirement for the pinewood derby, then Cub Scouts may add their own touches to their cars. This in no way breaks any of the pinewood derby rules, and it even adds to the excitement on the tracks.
Pinewood derby tracks usually feature two to six lanes. Each lane has slopes and these help with the speed and acceleration of the cars. A Cub Scout has the chance to try out each lane, so there's really no wonder why the participants really prepare for the pinewood derby. Their performance in the race is crucial, and this merits awards like trophies, ribbons, or medals. But in some races, other aspects are also evaluated. Car designs are also judged and the best ones also win trophies and other prizes.
The winning participant in the pack also gets a chance to race once more. In a larger, more competitive district race, Cub Scouts are challenged by members of other packs. The rules are the same, but better prizes are at stake, and the challenge is even more exciting.
Since its creation in 1953, about 3 million Cub Scouts have participated in the pinewood derby, and this number continues to increase significantly each year.
Sources:
"Pinewood Derby." Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia. 25 Nov. 2007. 29 Nov 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinewood_Derby.
"How can I make a pinewood derby car go faster?" How Stuff Works. 29 Nov 2007. http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/question169 .htm.
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The pinewood derby was created by Don Murphy, who was a Cubmaster. He had a son that wanted to participate in Soap Box Derby races, but because his son wasn't of age yet, Murphy decided to come up with a whole different competition that younger boys can enjoy. And because of a father's desire to make his son happy, the pinewood derby was born. On the 15th of May 1953, Manhattan Beach, California became the first location for the pinewood derby. Cub scouts - the younger members of the Boy Scouts of America - were the energetic competitors in the pinewood derby.
Cub Scout participants are given a block of pinewood, two wheel notches, four plastic wheels, and four nails. These basic items must be part of the derby car, and the participant's creation must reach the required weight of 5 ounces. Also, there is a prescribed length that must be followed in the pinewood derby. Cars must fit on the tracks which will be used by the Cub Scout pack. These rules are strictly implemented, but the Scouts are given the freedom to be creative and they can carve out their cars in any way that they want. If the cars don't reach the weight requirement for the pinewood derby, then Cub Scouts may add their own touches to their cars. This in no way breaks any of the pinewood derby rules, and it even adds to the excitement on the tracks.
Pinewood derby tracks usually feature two to six lanes. Each lane has slopes and these help with the speed and acceleration of the cars. A Cub Scout has the chance to try out each lane, so there's really no wonder why the participants really prepare for the pinewood derby. Their performance in the race is crucial, and this merits awards like trophies, ribbons, or medals. But in some races, other aspects are also evaluated. Car designs are also judged and the best ones also win trophies and other prizes.
The winning participant in the pack also gets a chance to race once more. In a larger, more competitive district race, Cub Scouts are challenged by members of other packs. The rules are the same, but better prizes are at stake, and the challenge is even more exciting.
Since its creation in 1953, about 3 million Cub Scouts have participated in the pinewood derby, and this number continues to increase significantly each year.
Sources:
"Pinewood Derby." Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia. 25 Nov. 2007. 29 Nov 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinewood_Derby.
"How can I make a pinewood derby car go faster?" How Stuff Works. 29 Nov 2007. http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/question169 .htm.
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