Pack 78 Feels the Need For Speed

The room was filled with super heroes. Yoshi and Harry Potter were represented, too. There was that resembled a pickle. Another one looked good enough to eat - designed like an ice cream sandwich.

The skating board dude was doing somersaults when he hit the end of the track. Some cars were blazing fast. Warren's car finished; and then continued half way down the track, backwards due to its speed. The range of creativity demonstrated by the Scouts was just wonderful.

Fifty-three pinewood derby race cars, of all shapes and colors, plunged down the tracks last Saturday at Cub Scout Pack 78's annual Pinewood Derby.

The Scouts learned about saw and sandpaper and a little physics.They worked for weeks with graphite lube and hobby paint to enhance their cars.

Finally, it was time to race. The competition was split into a 45 Cub Scouts and 8 mom/dad built cars for the gravity challenge race.

Beyond providing education and amusement for the Cub Scouts, the Pinewood Derby served another purpose for Scouts.

One of my first experiences in using tools was when I would work with my father to design & build my car for the Pinewood Derby races in the Cub Scouts.

He would let me do all of the designing myself and even let me do some of the simple cuts with a handsaw. My designs were not works of art by any means, but the cars were always fun to build, and the quality time with Dad was priceless.

While my dad helped me build my cars, today many moms  are highly involved working with their Scouts on the project. Conner MacDonald's parents were both involved. They each flashed their bandages at the race like merit badges of pride.

The Pinewood Derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Cub Scouting.

This year, we added the “Gravity Challenge." Moms and dads were encouraged to build their own car, to determine the best car building team based on racing results. The winning team was Conner MacDonald and his dad Kevin.

The top finishers in the race will move on to the district competition in April. There they will face challengers from 20 other local Cub Scouts.

Congratulations for a job well done goes to:
·    First place: Sean McGillicuddy, a Weblo
·    Second Place: David Ostfeld, a bear
·    Third Place: Warren Ross, a bear
·    Fourth place: Calvin Corrigan, a bear

Based on design, workmanship, race track and gravity cars moved down the 32-foot track in 3.5 seconds. If we think about this in terms of our own cars, it is about 19-20 miles per hour.

While the racing is exciting, it was not the only way to win in Pack 78. Awards where presented for the scouts dedicated work in build their racer. Categories included:

Most Original: Samer Mohammad
Most colorful: Justin Levitan
Best paint job: Sean A Andrews
Best workmanship: Nicholas Kotosky
Fastest looking: Warren D Ross
Most unusual: Jonathan Spalti
Best detail: Nicholas Paget
Most realistic: Joey Till
Judges favorite: David Ostfeld
Favorite color: George Moutafis
Most patriotic: Zachary Lane
Most traditional design: Joey Tunno

Pack 78 is a vibrant pack of Scouts and families who live in north Framingham. Scouts come from Dunning, Hemenway and Stapleton elementary schools.

 If you are interested in have your son (ages 7-10) become a Scout please visit  www.framinghampack78.org or contact Ken Ross at kross@ix.netcom.com to arrange a visit during our weekly meetings. 

Framingham's Bryan Corrigan is Den 5 leader.