If you were ever a Boy Scout, chances are you tap into many of the skills and experiences the well-known youth organization provided you even today as an adult, relying on outdoor expertise you learned, safety know-how or social adeptness your Cubmaster helped you develop way back when.
However, your passion for cars wasn't likely started there. But for Boy Scouts in Pack No. 323, in Exeter NH, this passion is being ignited with the annual Pinewood Derby, which now boasts 31 Boy Scouts and Webelos (younger scouts), all of whom design, create and paint-by-hand their own cars and enjoy a day of camaraderie and competition, as well as a little showing off.
The miniature "race" cars all begin as an unimpressive standard-issue block of wood and wheels from the Boy Scouts of America kit, with the Scouts participating in the Derby cutting, sanding and painting their own cars in every shape and color combination imaginable, customizing them just as any kit car designer would.
"It was really fun to spray paint and carve it out with my dad," said second-grader Thomas Mahoney, as quoted in New Hampshire's SeacoastOnline. the "It is really fun to race your opponent and (see) if your work paid off. You've got to try your best."
Some Scouts designed cars for their favorite team or athlete, according to the online source. For Tiger Scout Collin LaButte, the red, white and blue racer was all about the Boston Red Sox. Although it was the first-grader's first car, he has had lots of practice watching the building and racing of cars with his fifth-grader brother, Grant. Now a Boy Scout, Grant helped Collin come up with the idea of the color scheme. Collin liked the derby because "all of the Cub Scouts get to do it together."
Orange "all over everything was fun (and) similar to NASCAR driver Tony Stuart's car," according to third-grader Bradley Cammett. "I like that you get to sand and when you paint it you can just lob it on," he said.
Sound familiar?
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