The Wright Stuff: Pinewood Derby Days

Cub Scouts hold a Pinewood Derby every winter. Each child is given a block of wood, 4 wheels, and 4 nails. The rest is up to them. First step is to decide on the shape of your car and cut it out. Next you have to sand it, paint it, attach the wheels using the nails, and then finally race them at the derby.

The cool part about this project is that you can make it as simple or complicated as you want. Last year we put next to zero thought into them except the fun in making them. This year, we researched and taught the kids a little more about the physics that go into making it faster. Still - I'm including a lot of pictures to prove that while yes, we had to supervise carefully (due to power tools involved) - the kids really did make their own cars (we purchase an extra set so Elie can make one as well - they let her race for fun at the local derby).

That's important because when we get to the races we realize how many of these cars are very obviously NEVER touched by a child. They're so blatantly parent engineered/professional looking that it seems silly to have them be a part of a cub scout race! Still, having said that - I still remember a certain moment when I told the boys to quit playing their video games and come help their father with their cars..... to be followed 10 minutes later by their father saying, "go play your video games and get the hell outta my way!"

One of the most important and challenging parental lessons is letting go and giving your child the freedom to do something the wrong way when you know how it's gonna turn out (as long as it's not going to hurt them, of course).

Anyway - after the cars were finished we took them to the local derby to race with the scouts in our own den. Cameron's car placed first for the Bears, and Tyler's placed second for the Tigers. Success and excitement!

A few weeks later, it was time for the district derby competing against all the packs in our county. Interestingly enough - Cameron (first place in den) didn't place at all, and Tyler (second place in den) placed first for Tigers and second overall for the entire county!