Scouts, Parents, and Leaders,
Do some of your Cub Scouts and parents have a bit of difficulty in building their first Pinewood Derby Race Car?
McFarland Cub Scout Pack 53 has solved some of the problems by offering two opportunities to its Scouts and parents. We host a work shop and testing sessions to allow our Scouts and parents to enjoy the Annual Pinewood Derby.
An R.S.V.P is requested if Scouts and Parents will be attending the January 11 Design / Cut Out session in McFarland.
January 11 - McFarland Cub Scout Pack 53 will be holding a Pinewood Derby Race Car Design / Cut Out session
McFarland Fire Station / Village Hall on Milwaukee Street
8:15 am - check out the display of previously built Pinewood Derby Race Cars
8:30 am - Classroom session begins
Discuss Friction / Mass / Momentum / Gravity / Aerodynamics / Design / Painting
Each person attending (including parents and siblings) will design a car
9:15 am - break with treats and build a tripod for painting and displaying the race car
9:30 am - the design will be drawn onto the block of wood - the designs will be inspected to make sure that the race car can be cut out with the tools that are available.
After the design has been approved, the Scout and race car will go to the apparatus bay to have the 3 holes drilled for round weights, cut out using a band saw, and sanded
using a belt sander. No Scout will operate the power tools. Eye and ear protection are provided so the Scout (and parent) are able to see the design take shape.
The Scout will then take the race car home to paint, add weight, and put on the wheels and axles.
A second session could begin at about 10:30 am if there are problems with other schedules.
PInewood Derby Race Car Kits will NOT be available for sale. Kits are available at the Scout Shop.
Each person that wants to build a race car needs to supply their own car kit.
We also recommend 3 ROUND weights to be used to get the race car up to 5 ounces.
Round weights can be purchased at HOBBY LOBBY or MICHELS or from AMAZON.com.
We recommend only one color of paint for the first car that is built. The most INEXPENSIVE Glossy Enamel from the local hardware store or lumber yard works best.
Nail polish can be used for tail lights.
Racing stripes can be cut from different colors of plastic electricians tape.
Decals can also be purchased from the store where the ROUND weights are found.
Special Note - A suggested donation of $5.00 is recommended to cover the cost of the treats and supplies
Contact Bill Mitchell at
[email protected]
to learn more about the January 11 session.
January 25 - McFarland Cub Scout Pack 53 will be hosting Pinewood Derby Time Trials
McFarland Lutheran Church on Marsh Road in McFarland
8:00 am to 12:00 noon
Final assembly (if required) to get the weight of the race car to 5 ounces. A bolt cutter is used to cut up the round weights.
Test the race car on a 6 lane track racing against race cars that were built in previous years.
No NEW race car will race against a NEW race car.
Tools will be available to tune up the race car - assistance will be available to install the wheels and axles
Contact Bill Mitchell at
[email protected]
to learn more about the January 25 Time Trials Session.
Special Note - The main purpose of the Design / Cut Out session and the Time Trials session is to make sure that the race car will finish the race. McFarland Cub Scout Pack 53 has always included parents / grandparents / siblings in its annual Pinewood Derby.
A suggestion for other Cub Scout Packs - hold an OPEN CLASS race for non-Scouts as well as a CLASSIC race for cars built in previous years. McFarland Cub Scout Pack 53 has a Pit Stop Café for refreshments at the Derby. Scouts who have other activities going on during Race Day are requested to let our Race Committee know if conflicts exist (basketball / hockey / swimming) so that a race time for that rank could be switched to avoid the outside conflict.
McFarland Pack 53 awards a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Best Design for each Rank and Open Class race. Best Design is voted on by Scouts that are not racing in that rank. A participation medallion is awarded to each participant that does not receive a trophy.
Bill Mitchell - Charter Organization Representative to McFarland Cub Scout Pack 53
McFarland Fire and Rescue Association (Retired)
