How to Run a Pinewood Derby
The Pinewood Derby is one of the most anticipated events in the Cub Scouting year. The first Pinewood Derby was held in 1953 by Cub Scout Pack 280C at Manhattan Beach, Calif., and was such a success that it continues to be held to this day. In fact, according to the 1992 Boy Scouts of America retail catalog, during the first 39 years of Pinewood Derby racing, more than 81 million Pinewood Derby kits were sold. Along with such a big event comes careful planning to ensure success rather than chaos.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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Pinewood Derby Planning
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1
Recruit volunteers. Include parents, den leaders and older Scouts. On the day of the race, you need people to help with the following positions: setup (4 to 6 people); "pit stop" table (1); registration table (2 to 3); holding table (1); track crew (6 to 8); judges (2 to 3); and clean up crew (4 to 6).
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2
Plan well ahead for the event. Secure a location that will be large enough for the track, as well as the Scouts and family members. Make sure the facility has tables and chairs for use. Otherwise, consider renting or borrowing tables and chairs. Secure a track if the pack does not have one. If the pack does have its own track, plan to set it up ahead of time to ensure you have all of the parts and they are operational. Determine how many and what kind of awards will be handed out, and order them. Plan the format for the race and create forms to track results of races.
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3
Prepare your cub scouts for the Pinewood Derby. Distribute car kits. Make sure all boys have a copy of the rules as well as the categories for judging. Conduct car building workshops. Distribute a schedule of when each rank is going to race on race day.
Race Day
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1
Set up a "pit area" table for the boys to do last-minute work on the car. Stage a scale in this area for last-minute weight checks. Stock spare car parts in the pit area.
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2
Weigh, measure and check in cars at the registration table. Stock this area with at least one scale, a device to measure car dimensions, sign-in paperwork, pens, and stickers to identify cars. Send cars that do not meet specifications back to the pit area for adjustments. Register cars that do meet criteria and send them to the staging area, not to be touched until the owner is called to race.
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3
Plan to have the racing area stocked with the race result spreadsheets and pins to document results. Conduct races in each rank first, determining overall winners for each rank. At the end of the rank-specific races, plan one final race for the winners of each rank to determine the grand prize winner for the pack. Place non-winning cars on a table to be judged for design categories.
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4
Winners can either be announced on the day of the event or at an upcoming pack meeting.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Plan to have a concession stand to raise money to pay for race expenses.
Set up a television with a race movie to entertain siblings as well as younger Scouts.
Keep extra car supplies on hand---it is inevitable that a car will get dropped.
Consider recruiting judges from your chartered organization to maintain impartiality.
