Cub Scout Annual Pinewood Derby Tradition Continues

February 6, 2023
Bedford Cub Scout Pack 194 held their annual Pinewood Derby last Sunday. Courtesy Image

Submitted by Bedford Cub Scout Pack 194

Bedford Cub Scout Pack 194 held its annual Pinewood Derby race on Sunday, January 29. The event was hosted at and sponsored in part by the Bedford American Legion Post 221. 

Over 70 cars were entered in Bedford’s 2023 derby, including cars created by the scouts, and also by siblings and family members. Each car starts with a simple kit that contains a block of pine wood, nails, and plastic wheels. Scouts then complete car designs with the help of caregivers and leaders, including pack-led weekly wood shop build events during the month of January. All of the cars must be built and designed to meet stringent national derby specifications, including materials used, final size and weight, wheel alignment, axel visibility, and other design constraints. 

The Derby was the culmination of a month of activities for the pack centered around the cars, including a private screening of the 2005 movie “Down and Derby” at the Lexington Venue in December with other local Cub Scout packs. Last Sunday’s event was live streamed, a feature of the event prompted by Covid protocols in 2021, but extended because it was so popular for grandparents and friends across the country to share the excitement. 

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Five cars from the Pack will go on to participate in a District-Level Derby in March. From there they will have a chance to compete at a National Pinewood Derby in June.

The first Pinewood Derby took place in 1953 in California.  Nationwide, the 70-year tradition of the Pinewood Derby is one of the most popular events in Cub Scouts with local derbies held across the country each year. 

Bedford’s Cub Scout program includes scouts from kindergarten to 5th grade.  For more information on our program, visit http://pack194.net/

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