The excitement was overwhelming in the gym of the New Sweden School one recent evening, as 24 racers placed their entries on the line in this year’s Pinewood Derby, in which members of Woodland/New Sweden’s Cub Scout Pack 186 participated.
Contributed photo
Cub Scout Pack 186 of New Sweden recently held their annual Pinewood Derby. Gathered with their racing vehicles are, from left, front row: Avery Solomon, Phoebe Solomon, Jadyn Holmes, Jeremiah Holmes, Lars Spooner, Nicholas Margeson, Evan Margeson, George Solomon and Noah Dube. Back row, P.J. Thornton, Mikaela Spooner, Jim O’Meara, Braden Hewitt, Morgan Dube, Landin Spooner, Douglas Butterfield, Tom O’Meara and Reid Margeson.
“The boys and their parents obviously spent a number of hour working to transform one small block of wood, four nails and four plastic wheels into these wonderful cars, trucks, boats — and even a school bus,” said Jerry Holmes, Bear Den leader.
Each entry was inspected to make sure it met the size and weight standards that have been established for such events by the Boy Scouts of America. The cars were randomly seeded, and then competitors raced in head-to-head races for best of three tries, with the winners moving on until the top three vehicles were determined.
This year’s results were: first place, Lars Spooner, with second place going to Nicholas Margeson and third place awarded to Evan Margeson.
Siblings of the Scouts were also invited to join in the fun. “Inviting siblings and leaders to race was great,” said Joe Solomon, representative of the Woodland/New Sweden troop. “It expands the field, opening up the competition for maybe even a little sibling rivalry, which in this situation is always fun.”
After the race, the race winners were awarded trophies, and in addition every boy received the awards they had earned this winter in Scouting.
Tiger Den Leader Laurie Spooner said, “Scouting is a great learning experience for the boys. My children worked very hard on designing, sanding and painting their cars, but they have also learned about citizenship and many other skills that will serve them well as they get older.”
