Events

Pinewood Derby

Pinewood Derby is the most exciting race in Cub Scouts! Cub Scouts design and build their own small wooden car from provided kits. We race the cars down an aluminum track and see who has the bragging rights for the top car. Scouts race in the Open Class. Everyone else races in the Outlaw Class.

The car kits are handed out at the Holiday Party.

Trophies are given for; "Best Theme", "Most Car Like", and overall "1st", "2nd", "3rd" place.

Awards are given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers within each den.
(In an effort for the most Scouts to earn awards, we only issue one award per Scout.
If the Scout wins 1st place overall, they will not also win 1st place in the den.)

Outlaw Class will be awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards.

See the Photos tab to view past years cars.

Pinewood Derby Rules

Rules issued by Blue Grass Council

CAR SPECIFICATIONS (Open Class):

Width: The width of the car may not exceed 2.75 inches.

Length: The overall length of the car may not exceed 7.00 inches.

Weight: The total weight of the car may not exceed 5 ounces.

Ground Clearance: The minimum ground clearance must be at least 0.375 inches.

Car Front: The front-most edge of the car cannot extend past or around the starting pin and must contact the pin at a height not to exceed one 1.75 inches.

Wheels & Axels: The wheels and axles must only be those licensed by Scouting America (approved kits will have the Scouting America licensed seal on the packaging***). No substitutions! The wheels may be trimmed, but not rounded, pointed, or thinned. The tread must remain original width. No hubcaps (stickers on the outside of the wheel). Axels may not be altered in any way, except for polishing. Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited. The car shall not ride on springs. Wheel hubs (the part of the wheel that contacts the car) shall not be drilled, filed, or altered in any way. Wheels shall not be lightened by removal of excess plastic.

Wheel Base: The distance between the front and rear axels must not be changed from the kit body distance of 4.25 inches. The minimum width between the wheels must be at least 1.75 inches.

Materials: No loose materials of any kind are permitted.

Lubrication: Only graphite or powdered Teflon "white lube" is allowed by lubricating the wheels. Cars with any type of oil, synthetic lubes, etc. will not be allowed to race.

Car Body: Car bodies must use the block of wood supplied in the Scouting America Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit; body may be shaped to a custom design within the above specs. Body may be hollowed out and built up to a maximum weight, provided all additions are securely attached. The use of altered front ends of cars with "cheater bars" will not be allowed.

Details: Details such as steering wheels, driving decals, paintings, and interior details are permissible as long as the inclusion of these details does not exceed the length, width, weight, or ground specifications.

Propulsion: Gravity is the only allowed method of propulsion. The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.

Inspection: Each car must pass inspection by race officials before competition. Race officials will disqualify those cars which do not meet these specs. Once a car is accepted, only race officials may handle it. If a car does not meet the above specs at the time of registration, the owner of the car will be informed of the reason for not meetings specs, it may be modified and resubmitted for inspection as long as registration is still open.

Car Specifications and Inspection Decisions: The Race Official's decision(s) in any car specification and/or inspection matter will be final.

CAR SPECIFICATIONS (Outlaw Class):

Weight: The total weight of the car may not exceed 7 ounces.

Wheel Base: The distance between the front and rear axels may not be modified.

All other specifications above shall apply.

RACE RULES:

Eligibility (Cub Scout Classes):

(1) The car must be made by the Scout with parental help as needed. Cars do not have to be newly made for the current Scouting year.

(2) All Blue Grass Council, Scouting America participants must be a registered Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, or Arrow of the Light Scout (AoL Scouts that have "crossed over" into a Scout Troop may race as the AoL representative but must be registered in a Troop) at the time of the Pinewood Derby.

Inspection: Each car must pass inspection by the official committee before the car can compete. The decision of the committee is final. After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

Maintenance: Once the Pinewood Derby car has been accepted by the inspection committee, no maintenance of any kind is permitted, including additional lubrication.

Disabled Cars: If a car becomes disabled during the race, it may continue until it no longer will go down the track or is eliminated.

Race Decisions: The Race Official's decision(s) in any race matter will be final.

***Officially licensed products may now be found at Lowe's, Michael's, Amazon, and other stores and are marketed by Revell Inc.

Raingutter Regatta

The Raingutter Regatta is a traditional Cub Scout event where participants assemble, decorate, and race small sailboats down a water-filled rain gutter. Powered solely by blowing through a straw, Scouts must guide their boats, without touching them, to the finish line in a thrilling display of lung power and steering skill.

The rain gutter that Pack 215 uses is a two lane, inflated race course.

We will supply pool noodles that have been trimmed down for Scouts to make their own boats. Scouts are also able to bring in recycled materials to construct a boat of their own imagination.

This race is for fun and no awards are given.

Crossover

An AoL Crossover Ceremony is a meaningful, celebratory Cub Scout tradition. "AoL" stands for the Arrow of Light, the highest and only Cub Scout rank that can be worn on a Scouts BSA uniform. The ceremony marks a Scout's official graduation from Cub Scouts into a Scouts BSA Troop.

How the Ceremony Works

The event is designed to symbolize the transition from childhood scouting to older-youth scouting. While ceremonies vary, they generally feature the following core elements.

The Bridge: Scouts literally "cross over" a small physical or symbolic wooden bridge. On one side is the Cub Scout Pack; on the other is the Scouts BSA Troop waiting to welcome them.
Uniform Exchange: During the crossing, parents or leaders remove the scout's Cub Scout neckerchief and blue shoulder loops.
Welcome to the Troop: Once across the bridge, the scouts are greeted by the new troop's leadership and are presented with their new troop neckerchief.

Why It's Important

Earning the Arrow of Light and crossing over is an important milestone in a youth's scouting career. It celebrates years of hard work in Cub Scouts while preparing the scout for the increased independence, leadership, and outdoor adventures they will experience as part of Scouts BSA.

What We Ask from Parents

Parents, this is an important time for Webelos and AoL Scouts. We want EVERY Scout to attend the Crossover Ceremony. Not only is this a great bonding opportunity for the Pack, but it also gives the younger Scouts something to look towards achieving in their career. We do ask that parents of younger Scouts help us by:

This is a very important ceremony and we are going to challenge every den to see who can be the quietest and most attentive while it happens. Let’s show everyone how well our Pack can focus when it matters most.
STAY OFF THE BRIDGE! The bridging ceremony is an important tradition for our older Scouts who worked so hard to get here. Please stay off the bridge so they can have their moment, let the younger Scouts find a different area to play.
Help Us. Many of the leaders will be involved in the ceremony in some form or another. We appreciate all parents helping to make sure that everything in the audience is going smoothly. Also, we will need assistance in putting away chairs and cleaning up.
Be Respectful. We will have visitors from the Troops that the AoL Scouts have decided to join. Get to know the Troop guests, they love meeting potential new Scouts.

Blue and Gold Banquet

The Blue and Gold Banquet is an annual Cub Scout tradition celebrated to honor the anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America (Scouting America) and to celebrate the achievements and advancement of the Cub Scouts.

Key Details

When: Traditionally held at the end of the season before we start the summer activities.
Who: Cub Scouts, their families, leaders, and often special guests or local Scouts BSA troops. We suggest to invite anyone that has been a part of your scout's year.
Activities: Family-friendly dinners, ceremonies, skits, rank advancements, and adult awards.
Colors: "Blue" symbolizes truth, spirituality, and steadfast loyalty; "Gold" signifies warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.

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