Slideshow: It's Crafty at Young Makers' Car Show at Rogers

Fun was serious business at the Pack 007 Pinewood Derby, held at Rogers Middle School this past Sunday. 

The cub scout starts with a Pinewood Derby kit which contains a block of pine wheels and axles and works with his parent, den leader or other helper to design a car to certain specifications:

• Maximum overall length - 7"
• Maximum width - 2 3/4"
• Maximum height - 3"
• Maximum weight - 5 oz
• Minimum under-car clearance - 3/8"
• Minimum distance between Wheels - 1 3/4"

There are many books and online resources that can be used for research, but the youth is limited only by the above requirements and his imagination. The making of a Pinewood Derby car involves learning how to use various types of electric and manual woodworking tools.

On the day of the event, the cars are checked in and quarantined. A practice run may be performed before the cars are measured and weighed. At the allotted time, the race is on!

The track may be a simple wooden track, or it may be an aluminum track with electronic metering, scoring and the finish line projected overhead. Guess which one was put into use on Sunday?

I spent three hours of 'oohing' and 'aahing' over the many colorful designs! There was, of course, the very basic 'block of pine', but there were so many more! The kids' favorite toys were put to good use in their designs. It was obvious that not all the designs were for speed. Some were made for the sheer enjoyment of making a car!

Enjoy the cars! I did!