January 28 th 2017 1
Introductions & Expectations Pinewood Derby Space Derby Raingutter Regatta Derby Planning Pre-Derby Pack Activities & Dates Review Sample Checklist Ideas to heat up your Pinewood Derby Useful links Questions 2
The Pinewood Derby allows boys to build small wooden cars (from a standard BSA kit) with help from their families. The cars are powered by gravity and run down a track. Make sure to give yourself enough time to rent or borrow the race track from another Pack. 3
The Space Derby allows boys to build their rockets (from a standard BSA kit) that is powered by a rubber band propeller. Make sure to give yourself enough time to build the race wire track or borrow an already built track from another Pack. 4
The Raingutter Regatta allows boys to easily build their race boats (from a standard BSA kit) The tracks are made from standard raingutters that are capped and filled with water. Boys use a straw to blow wind into the boat s sail. 5
Plan Early Set Dates Start Planning at least 1 ½ months in advance Establish your Derby Planning Committee Establish communication plan Pre-Derby Pack Activities Vehicle Distribution (at least 6 weeks prior to Derby) Building Clinic (at least 4 weeks prior to Derby) Workshop / Trials (at least 2 weeks prior to Derby) Registration / Impound (at least 1 day prior to Derby) Derby Race 6
1.5-2 Months Ahead Establish Committee Assign Tasks Order Materials Hand out Vehicles? Schedule Dates 2 weeks Ahead Trials? Finalize Materials Race Day Start Derby Activities? Awards 1 Month Ahead Clinics? Visitors Volunteers Week Before Finalize Agenda 7
Distribution Establish Rules, Race Format Investigate BSA rules Leverage Lessons Learned from Previous years Decide what is allowed and not allowed Establish Awards & Patches Decide on type and quantity Place order with vendors Buy Derby Vehicles Have enough for all cub scouts plus extras Reserve or order online in advance Distribute vehicles & rules at Pack Meeting 8
Building Establish Clinic either at the Pack or Den level Get experienced parents to help newer parents Have power tools available for parents Have hand tools available for cub scouts Establish safety rules Setup stations in an assembly line format Design Station Cutting Station Sanding Station Weighing Station (depending on Derby) Painting Station (optional) Wheel/Fin/Keel & Rudder Station (optional) 9
Trials - Testing Secure track for Trials without electronics for Pinewood Indoor for Space Derby (wind can be a huge factor) Outdoor for Raingutter (water spills can be a factor) Have official equipment Scale, Rulers Spare parts available Weights, Wheels, Axles (Pinewood) Fins, Rudders, Sails (Raingutter) Propellers, Rubber bands (Space) Stations with basic tools for adjustments/repairs 10
Vehicle Registration/Impound Establish checklist for inspection Have official measuring equipment Scale Rulers Graphite station (Pinewood, preferably outside) Have each cub scout name their vehicle Uniquely number each vehicle Have containers to safely impound vehicles Registration can take a long time and usually requires last minute car changes, so avoid registration right before the actual race 11
Derby Race Secure Derby Track Setup race software or establish timers/race format Allow open slots for late adds Establish a race format that will give each car a fair race Assess time available and number of heats needed Order trophies and/or medals/ribbons Get patches (standard or customized) Create certificates for each boy who participates Establish Race MC Invite special guests (District leaders, Police, Fire Dept) Finalize judges for non-race awards Establish equipment for audio, video & race stats 12
Establish a racing themed Pack Night Host a Down and Derby Movie Night Have a special guest distribute vehicles Have a special guest attend your Derby Create drivers licenses for each boy Create an official Derby program that has all boys listed with the names of their vehicles Setup a photo area so boys can have their photo taken with their vehicle Have official 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd place podiums for the winners circle a great photo opportunity Establish a rotating Pack winner s trophy Leverage official Derby software Decorate, decorate, decorate! 13
Create race day agenda in detail and use it working backwards to create/manage your timeline Give yourself extra time for items you have no control over, IE: patches & trophies Invite special guest well in advance to allow them time to insert into their schedules Delegate ALL tasks as much as possible and work as a team Leverage supplies from nearby Troops and Packs Test equipment (as applicable) prior to race day and if applicable have spare parts/track pieces Use previous years history and/or ask another Pack for advise Research and use local BSA clinics as applicable Take time off work and other activities and/or have volunteers do their work earlier in the day to allow for set backs or assistance from others if needed with items to be completed the last couple days prior to race. 14
Patches http://www.classb.com/bsa/custom-cub-scout-pack-patches/ http://www.patchsales.com/index.php?pageid=home&nocache=1 453878175 http://bsa.moritzembroidery.com/ Tracks http://www.besttrack.com http://grandprix-software-central.com/index.php Pinewood Derby http://www.pinewoodderby.org/ http://www.pinewoodpro.com/ Space Derby http://www.scoutstuff.org/bsa/crafts/space-derby.html Raingutter Regatta http://www.raingutter-regatta.com/ 15
Make sure you sign the attendance sheet Please fill out the course evaluation online survey (Survey Monkey) which you will be receiving in your email after LEAD Feel free to contact me with any questions at myputertech@gmail.com. 16