See our section entitled "Misc. Derby Supplies" for additional planning accessories that can be purchased to assist you deliviering a quality program.
- History of the Pinewood Derby
Many Pinewood Derbys have come and gone over the last 4 decades. Learn where this Derby 'stuff' came from, and who our forebearers were. (Our thanks to Randy Worcester for this great research job!)
- Conducting Pinewood Derby Races
"Aside from assuring that everyone has a "rocking good time" (i.e. fun), plan pack racing so that the fairness of the method is obvious, even to the most casual observer. Results should be dependent only on The Cub, The Car, and Chance, and not on anyone's arbitrary decision, such as chart number assignments. Better yet... use an accurate, fair method...."
- Roles of the Pinewood Derby Committee
A successful and fun Pinewood Derby is highly dependent on the work of the "Pinewood Derby Committee." Assemble this group of volunteers early in the race year. These pages include job descriptions that illustrate the responsibilities of each of a successful Pinewood Derby's functional positions.
- Derby Planning Event Calendar
This page discusses the planning events and timeframes that need to occur in the months prior to your Pinewood Derby. While you can do an OK Derby with only 45 days planning, you can do a GREAT Derby if you take 5 months to plan it. Your boys will remember it all of their lives!
- Pinewood Derby Rules
How many times have you heard this question? The reason that the question gets asked so often is because one can encounter considerable confusion in interpreting the "guidelines" that are published in several BSA documents.
- Pinewood Derby Model Car Racing
A nice Pinewood Derby Planning guide from the U.S. Scouting Service Project. See their "Ten Steps to a Successful Derby" pages
- Race Methods for a Shape N Race Derby
This document describes ways to determine which derby cars are the fastest. It should be useful to organizers of any similar race event (e.g., model sailboat or model rocket races), since it addresses logistical issues that are applicable to any race event, and isn't tied to the specific details of model car races like the Shape N Race Derby or the Pinewood Derby.
- The Night Before Pinewood
A skit from Jay Jenkins. Jay says: "My den and I wrote this poem in 1994. They performed a skit at a pack meeting based on it, but it would also work as just a poem. They had a lot of fun with it, and it helped them earn their Showman pin. I have received a few requests for it, so here it is for anyone that would like to use it."
- Pinewood Derby Songs and Yells
Part of the fun of a big event like the Pinewood Derby is showing spirit through participation. Most Cub Scouts have a few intense minutes in the limelight of competition, but spend most of their time spectating and rooting for their fellow Scouts. The entire experience can be enriched with a little audience participation in songs, stunts, or Den yells. Here are a few to get started.
- Pinewood Derby Songs
From the Ultimate Pinewood Derby Site, Randy Worcester has collected some cool songs and a neat opening ceremony for Pinewood Derby day.
- Pinewood Derby Awards
Another page from the Ultimate Pinewood Derby Site includes some great ideas on making every boy a winner!
- Pinewood Derby Car Plaques from Stan
Each Cub that brings a car to this Pack's Derby gets a plaque to take home. This page describes the entire process of creating your own recognitions for the hard-working Cubs in your Pack.
