Cub Scout Pack 1776
4Feb/10

Pinewood Derby Results

The race results are in!  Check it out.
Pinewood Derby Results

31Jan/10

2010 Pinewood Derby Wrapup

Hi families of Pack 1776!

We hope you all had fun at today’s Pinewood derby festivities.

Lots of Thank You’s to all the volunteer parents:

PWD chairman- Joe M
PWD chairman- Russ D
PWD chairman- Harry B
2010 PWD announcer- Steve B
Food booth organizers- Jen R, Cathy V, Lisa C, Kim D, and Robert R

And all the volunteer parents who helped with the race setup & handling!

Last but not least, I’d like to thank Macey Z, who donated his time & efforts to make the super cool PWD Driver’s license.

Everyone’s time, energy, dedication and support for the pack are much appreciated! We are a volunteer organization & all the volunteers make this possible.

Again congratulations to the speed winners:

First- Alexander B
Second- Jacob L
Third- Brandon B

Also congratulations to the artistic winners:

Spirit of Scouting: JT F (Zamboni)
Most Realistic: Tie between Brian L (Wii) and AJ L (Speedy McQueen)
Most Similar to a Race Car: Kai P (Formula One Car)
Most Fun Car: Raghau M (Yoshi)

One of the fun things about a big group is not only sharing pictures, but sharing memories! If you took any pictures or videos from the event, please upload them to our Pack photo site (details here).

Cubmaster PWD notes:

When I take a moment to contemplate all the Pinewood derby cars, I realize that an awful lot of painstaking work went into each one. There is much creativity and ingenuity represented. I don't know, but I imagine that each car was designed to be the fastest. Of course, there was only one winning CAR, but I contend to say that all of the CUBS were winners. This is why we choose to give a trophy to all the participants.

Building the car helped bring dad and son closer together. Mom was proud of her son whether she gave him a hug of congratulations or comfort. The boys gained a better knowledge of competition; how to win, how to lose, how to be happy for a friend. The leaders, in the pride they felt knowing that each of their boys had done their best.

Yes, there are only winners!

Thank you all for helping to make the pack go and the Cub Scouts grow! Most of all, I hope all the families had fun with your scouts! Activities like this will make memories of a lifetime!

Congratulations to all of us winners!

Cubmaster Ed

21Jan/10

Amazing Pinewood Derby Cars

Looking for ideas for your pinewood derby car? Check out these amazing pinewood derby cars created by Boys' Life magazine readers. Get more, plus tips to make your car super-fast, at www.boyslife.org/pinewood.

17Jan/10

PWD Car Kits & Upcoming Pack Events

PWD Car KitPack 1776 Families-

We hope you all enjoyed the Down & Derby Movie night & the tour of the Blackhawk Auto Museum at last week’s Pack meeting. It is truly one of the finest auto museums in the world. Hopefully it got all the scouts revved up for the upcoming Pinewood derby race!

For those of you who missed the last two Pack meetings, we passed out Pinewood Derby Kits to all the scouts. If you missed the meetings & want a kit for your Scout (free) or Sibling ($5/kit), send me an email & we'll arrange for your scout to get a PWD kit.

The PWD race is Sunday January 31.

Other upcoming events include:

  • Friday Jan 15- Scout night with the Warriors
  • Th-Sat Jan 21-23- Adventure Base 100 Tour - Sacramento
  • Saturday Jan 23- L.E.A.D. training
  • Saturday Jan 30- PWD weigh-in & impound
  • Saturday Feb 13- Scout Day w/ Cal Bear Basketball
  • Friday Feb 19- Blue & Gold Banquet Pack Meeting

Until then, the Pack 1776 leadership team wish all of you & your families are having a wonderful New Year!

Yours in Scouting,
Cubmaster Ed

14Jan/10

Pinewood Derby Driver’s License Photos

Actual license may look different

Actual license may look different

The photos taken at Blackhawk Museum is now available on the Pack Photo Site. These photos will be inserted into a Pinewood Derby Driver's License template I made. I'll get these printed, laminated and to the pack on Derby Day.

Please check that the name spellings and den assignments are correct. There are 4 photos that I do not have the scout's name or den. Any help in identifying these boys would be appreciated.

Any scouts that missed their photo on the 10th can take their picture at weigh-ins on the 30th. It will be during the first 30 minutes of the scheduled weigh-in time.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Macey Z
Den 6

14Jan/10

Pinewood Derby® Planning Steps

PinewoodDerbyRacerEmblemPack 1776 Scouters-

As you all know, we have our annual Pinewood derby race coming up at the end of the month. For those of you that are new to scouting or those who just need a refresher course, here are some planning steps that may help in making a Pinewood Derby® car.  Remember, while Pinewood Derbies® gives a Cub Scout and an adult a project to complete as a team, we should encourage each scout to do as much of the car building as possible.

Step 1: Design the Car's Body

Choose your favorite design. Outline it onto your paper template or graph paper. Remember to maintain a width of 1-3/4 inches where the metal axle is to be inserted. Then outline the bare block of wood onto the paper. Keep the design simple enough to avoid overly intricate or detailed cutting.

Step 2: Shape the Car's Body

  1. When deciding how detailed you want your car to be, keep in mind the tools you have available: saws, drills, sanders, etc. Consider safety as well. Usually, the adult makes the major cuts with the power tools and then lets the youth file and complete the sanding.
  2. Check the axle grooves to ensure that each is at a perfect 90-degree angle to the car body. A car with untrue axles tends to steer to one side or the other, causing it to rub up against the side of the lane strip, slowing it down.
  3. Cut away the large sections of waste wood to get close to your etching of the final design. This makes it easier to shape and detail your design. It’s much harder to add wood if you overcut your original design.
  4. Do not forget to have a place for weight if you need it. Weight may be placed anywhere as long as it is not taped on and does not exceed the specifications.

Step 3: Inspect the Wheels

  1. Only the official wheels are acceptable.
  2. Wheels can be sanded to remove surface imperfections, but the treads must be left flat.
  3. Inspecting the wheels is important. Make sure all wheels roll freely and smoothly around the axle. Get a drill bit that fits just inside the wheel where the axle fits. This cleans out the roughness and burrs that cause wheels to not spin freely.

Step 4: Insert Axels

  1. Check each axle for a burr on the underside of the head.
  2. To let the wheels run as freely as possible, place an axle in a hand-drill chuck to hold it steady, then smooth the burrs with a fine emery cloth or file.
  3. To fine-tune your axles, polish them with jeweler’s rouge or fine emery paper. These items can be purchased at a local hardware store.

Step 5: Paint

After shaping and sanding your car to your satisfaction, prime it, sand it with fine sandpaper, and add additional coats of paint or a "skin". Do not glue details on yet.

Step 6: Install Wheels and Axles

Put the axles and wheels on the car, but don’t glue axles on at this point. Weigh your car, being sure to place the car and the accessories (driver, steering wheel, roll bar, etc.) on the scale.

Step 7: Add Weights

  1. The car may not weigh more than five ounces. Get your car as close to that weight as possible.
  2. If you do not have a scale, the U.S. Postal Service or a supermarket might weigh your car for you. Our Pack 1776 Pinewood Derby® Committee has an official scale for you to use at the weigh-in the day before the race.
  3. Weight must not be taped on. The car may be hollowed out and weight inserted to build it up to the maximum weight. Make sure it is securely attached or built into the body of the car so as to not fall off the car and onto the track.

Step 8: Test the Car

  1. Once weight is securely mounted, slip wheels back on. Place car on a long, flat surface, such as a floor, and give it a gentle push. The car should travel in a straight line for a reasonable distance (five to ten feet).

Step 9: Lubricate the Car

  1. Lube and mount the wheels permanently. Dry, fine powdered lube works best. Dust a little powdered lube in the hole of the wheel where the axle is inserted, some on the axle where the wheel rides, and a little at the axle head.
  2. Slide the axles and wheels onto the car and glue into place. Use an epoxy or nonresin glue, and make sure you don’t get any on the surface of the axle where the wheel rides.

Step 10: Accessorize the Car

Make sure accessories are securely mounted on the car. Add stripes and decals if desired.

Safety

To ensure the highest level of success and fun in your Pinewood Derby® experience, make safety your top priority. Here are some useful guidelines for maintaining safety:

  1. Gather your safety essentials: dust mask, goggles, and latex gloves.
  2. Wear eye protection at all times.
  3. Monitor Cub Scouts’ use of tools.
  4. Wear dust mask when appropriate.
  5. Work in a well-lighted and well-ventilated area.
  6. Consider wearing gloves when using sharp tools.
  7. Do not wear loose-fitting clothing.
  8. Do not melt lead; handle lead with care.
  9. Follow all safety rules and precautions listed on the tools and products you use.
  10. Keep your work area clean and organized.

Most of all, have fun with your scouts! Activities like this will make memories of a lifetime!

Yours in Scouting,

Cubmaster Ed

5Jan/10

Pack Meeting (January)

Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Location:
Blackhawk Auto Museum
Theme: Power Up!

Pack 1776 Families-

Happy New Year to all of you!

I can hardly believe that the January pack meeting is next week already. To get in the spirit of the annual Pinewood derby race, we plan to host a "Down & Derby" movie night followed by a museum tour at the Blackhawk Auto Museum!

Please note that the Pack meeting is on SUNDAY Jan 10 at Blackhawk museum from 2-4:30pm.

Agenda schedule:

2:00-2:05- Opening flag ceremony

2:05-2:10- Cubmaster Welcome

2:10-2:15- Den skit

2:20-3:50- "Down & Derby" movie (90 minutes)

3:50-4:00- Keynote speaker Roger Evans

4:00-4:30- Blackhawk Car museum tour with docents

Yours in Scouting,
Cubmaster Ed

15Dec/09

2010 Blackhawk 500 Patch Design Contest

Blackhawk 500 Patch Design ContestDeadline: Friday, February 19, 2010
Detail Info and Contest Form: See HERE

Contest information from the council ...

Cub Scouts, send us your original design for the 2010 Blackhawk 500 Pinewood Derby Patch! One design will be selected and used as the official patch for the upcoming Blackhawk 500*. The designer of the chosen patch will also receive free entry into the Blackhawk 500!

Rules & Guidelines:

  1. All designs must be done on and fit within the 3” circle on the contest form.
  2. All designs must include the wording “2010 Blackhawk 500” and “Mt. Diablo Silverado Council”.
  3. Limit of 1 design per boy.
  4. All designs must be received by February 19, 2010.

When you’re all done, mail the form to:

Mt. Diablo Silverado Council
Blackhawk 500 Patch Design
800 Ellinwood Way
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Make sure to include your name, unit#, rank, address, and phone number.

* Necessary modifications will occur in order to convert the original design into a graphic image.

13Dec/09

2010 Pinewood Derby

PinewoodDerbyRacerEmblemDates:
Saturday, January 30, 2010, 1:00 PM - 3:00PM:
Inspection, Weigh-In, Impound
Sunday, January 31, 2010:
Race

Click HERE for the 2010 PWD rules for our Pack.

The following resources are available from the pack to assist you and your Den members in crafting your car:

  • Jigsaw
  • Design Book
  • VHS

The items can be reserved and checked out by calling Scott Evans.

The 2010 Race will be held in a new Aluminum Track on January 31. Inspection,Weigh in, Impound will be Saturday 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Cars must meet the PWD rules to compete.

Urge your Den Members to finish the car prior to Jan 30. They can use the scale at the post office to get as close as possible to the 5.0 Oz requirement.

Good Luck and Happy Racing.