Cub Scout Pack 346 compete in annual Pinewood Derby

Gavin Dalton wins the Pinewood Derby Sportsmanship award. Photo provided by Susan Gamble.

Josiah Bacca wins the Cubmaster’s Choice award for his design. Photo provided by Susan Gamble.

Cub Scout Pack 346 held its annual Pinewood Derby on Feb. 11 at Lamb’s Fellowship Church. This year celebrates the 65th anniversary of the Pinewood Derby.

In May of 1953, at the Scout House in Manhattan Beach, California, the Cubmaster of  Cub Scout Pack 280C, held the first races to allow the younger Cub Scouts to participate in races.  The wooden cars were to be model size cars designed to look similar to the popular Soap Box Derby racers of the time.

The Derby races were so popular that within a year of that first race, the National Director adopted the program throughout the Cub Scout program.

The design of cars and tracks have changed with the times but the fun of Scouts designing, painting and decorating their cars along with their family member’s help remains the same as it was in 1953.

The Scouts of Pack 346 competed this month for speed and style. Design awards were presented to the following:

Cubmaster’s Choice: Josiah Bacca

Most Patriotic: James Woodward

Best Cub Scout Theme: Aidan McColley

Most Realistic: Baron Sidwell

I Did My Best: Maxwell Simon

Winning for his sportsmanship throughout the race day was Arrow of Light Scout Gavin Dalton.

Each Den competed against each other for the fastest times in their age/grade bracket.  The winners of the fastest times overall are as follows:

1st place:  Arrow of Light Scout Luke Remley

2nd place: Tiger Scout Pierce Remley

3rd place: Bear Scout Nathan Smith

Pack 346 is for boys in kindergarten through 5th grades who reside in Canyon Lake, Canyon Hills and Tuscany Hills. For more information, call 951-363-3346 or email socalpack346@gmail.com.