After much anticipation and a lot of detailed woodworking North Bryan Cub Scout Pack 357 held their annual Pinewood Derby last week at the Pembroke Methodist Church Social Hall.
With 12 scouts participating, the competition was close but 9-year-old Bear Cub Dallas Ryder of Pembroke took top honors among his pack with his thinly carved racer. Second place went to Tiger Cub Dylan Purvis and third to Wolf Cub Samuel Snyder.
Den winners for each age group will continue on to the Ogeechee Pinewood Derby Regional Race to represent Pembroke and Ellabell on March 8th at the Statesboro Mall. Den victories went to Dylan Purvis for the Tiger Cubs, Samuel Snyder for the Wolf Cubs, and Dallas Ryder took first place for the Bear Cubs, while Bret Kohler took second and Zachary Turner took third. Turner also received honors for Best Design of the event.
"This is probably one of the most anticipated activities we do each year. The boys love it," said Den Mom Leslie Clark. "We would like to give a special thank you to Todd Purvis for donating labor and parts to repair the aged race track or the kids would not have been able to race this year."
This is the 75th year for the Cub Scouts of America to hold Nationwide Pinewood Derbies. According to their website the pinewood derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Cub Scouting. Pinewood derby cars are small wooden models that boys make with help from their families and then race in competition. The cars may not exceed 5 oz. and cannot be longer that 7", with a maximum width of 2 ¾’. The cars are powered by gravity and run down a regulation track.
The pinewood derby is an annual event in most packs. It can be run indoors or outdoors. Every boy can design and build his own "grand prix" car to enter in the race.
Little has changed in the pinewood derby car race since 1953. Since that time an estimated 43 million sons and fathers (mostly) have participated. Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby car racing has been adopted by the Girl Scouts, Awana Grand Prix, Royal Rangers, Kub Kar Rally, Shape N Race Derby and most recently WIRL (Woodcar Independent Racing League).