Pack 402's Pinewood Derby Workshop Empowers Young Scouts to Build Cars Independently
Pack 402 in Urbana, Ill., held its first Pinewood Derby workshop with a remarkable 90% attendance rate. The event, led by Cubmaster Tori Exum and Cubmaster David McRae, aimed to empower young Scouts to build their own cars from start to finish, reducing the number of 'dad-built' cars in the process.
The workshop, held in an assembly-line style, began with Scouts at the design table, where they could let their creativity flow. They then moved on to cutting, sanding, and weighing stations, learning the intricacies of each step. The final stage involved painting, where Scouts could add their personal touch to their cars.
The event was open to all, including apartment dwellers, single moms, and those less skilled in crafts. Some Scouts completed their cars within a few hours, while others received initial assistance and finished them later. The workshop not only helped Scouts become familiar with the entire process but also reduced the number of cars built primarily by parents.
Cubmaster David McRae hopes that by the time Scouts reach the Webelos level, they will be able to build their cars independently. The annual Pinewood Derby workshops, organized by the leaders of Pack 402 in Urbana, Illinois, and Pack 55 in Cedar Falls, Iowa, continue to foster a sense of accomplishment and self-reliance among the young participants.
