Anticipation was high last month as the Annandale/Clearwater Cub Scout Troop 354 held their annual Pinewood Derby.

 

The Pinewood Derby is a racing event for unpowered miniature cars. With help from the adults in their lives, Scouts design and build their own cars from pine, usually with plastic wheels and metal axles. 

 

The Scouts race others from their same den level. The same three lane track is used for all racers. Each races three times, once on each lane, and their scores are averaged to compute their final score.

 

Held at Bendix Elementary in Annandale, Scouts and their parents were anxious to see if the hours of preparation and building their derby cars would pay off. 

 

“There must have been some really fast cars this year,” said Eric Perowitz, committee chair of the troop. “Because a number of speed records were broken.”

 

One of those records was broken by Clearwater Cub Scout Eli Groth, who is a Webelos in the Cub Scouts rank. In a surprise twist, however, his new record was then beaten by one of his fellow den members, Jayden Perowitz. The two were awarded first and second in their den level.

 

“The biggest benefit Scouts receive from the Pinewood Derby is that they get to work on the cars with their parents,” said Eric Perowitz. “It’s usually a family event. They also learn about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and how to use simple power tools with help from adults.”

 

Pack 354 currently has 51 members, and kids can join at any time.

 

“Our troop has a family-type atmosphere with siblings and parents.” said Perowitz. “Scouts help teach values and build good character.”

 

For more information on, or to register for, Cub Scouts, visit www.joincubs.org