Pinewood Derby

Each February, we hold our annual Pinewood Derby. Every boy is given an official BSA Pinewood Derby kit, which consists of a small block of pine, four nails and four plastic wheels. The boy, along with his adult partner, then transforms the materials into a small wooden race car.

The construction phase is a good opportunity for boys to spend quality time with their adult partner while learning basic woodworking and painting skills. In addition, boys also learn basic physics principles such as friction, wind resistance, and the relationship between gravity and weight. The finished car must weigh no more than 5 ounces and have no motorized parts.

On race day, the school cafeteria is transformed into a high-tech racing facility. We run our races on a 4-lane aluminum track complete with a computer-controlled timing system. (Often the difference between first and second place can be just hundredths of a second.) Despite the advance timing system, the principle behind the Pinewood Derby is relatively primitive. The cars are powered only by gravity. The cars are released from atop a slope that transforms into of flat straight-away where the finish line is. The fastest one down the track wins the heat.

You can download a detailed copy of our Pinewood Derby rules and race tips here. The Pinewood Derby is always a fun and exciting event. It's something that our boys look forward to every year.