The Pack 145 Cub Scouts of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Christiansburg suffered a big disappointment in 2020 when their Pinewood Derby races were cancelled because of the coronavirus.
On Saturday and Sunday, though, January 23 and 24, the Scouts revived what has across 68 years of competition developed into one of their favorite activities when they raced and showed off the workmanship of their handmade race cars with the 2021 Pinewood Derby. The derby was held in the activity building of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Each Cub Scout, aged 5 to 10 years old, was provided a kit with a wood block, plastic wheels and metal axles. With an adult’s help, Cubs cut, shaped, sanded, painted and decorated their race cars.
The Cubs raced in small groups within their ranks and dens to allow for safe physical distancing. The Pinewood Derby was live streamed to family members who would have normally been in attendance cheering on the youngsters. Pack leaders took photos of the experience and the race cars to share with the families.
Cubs raced their driverless wooden cars down Pack 145’s 43-feet long sloped track. The racers used the placement of weights up to five ounces to allow gravity to power their race cars from a starting gate, down an incline along aluminum rails to the finish line.
Lion Cub Charles Goodman won the overall pack championship among the first-place winners. He was the youngest to win in Pack 145’s history. The Lions program for kindergartners was developed only two years ago by the national Boy Scouts of American, and these races marked the Lions’ first opportunity to show off their cars.
The top three fastest racers for each Cub Scout rank were awarded ribbons:
Lion Cubs (Kindergarten, age 5): 1. Charles Goodman 2. Simeon Geromel 3. Jack Phillips.
Tiger Cubs (First grade, age 6): 1. Breiton Hackworth 2. Arcadia Pendleton 3. Gavin Vellines.
Wolf Cubs (Second grade, age 7): 1. Lane Harmon, 2. Charles Phillips 3. Robert Crookshanks.
Bear Cubs (Third grade, age 8): 1. Henry Rust, 2. Emery Warner 3. Isaac Hutchins.
Webelos (Fourth grade, age 9): 1. Alasdair Hackworth and Lilly Withers 3. Draco Custer.
Arrow of Lighters (Fifth grade, age 10): 1. Kellen Mitchel 2. Christopher Metz 3. Trenton Gurnee.
The designs and styles of the Pinewood Derby cars were evaluated by a secret panel of judges who awarded show medals in various categories to the scouts’ cars:
Lion Cubs: NASCAR Ready – Charles Goodman; Most Unique – Jack Phillips; Most Creative – Bree Nestrick Best Wedge Car – Simeon Geromel; Best Cub Spirit – Westin Malcom; Most Detailed – Tristin Worthington-Deeble.
Tiger Cubs: Best Scout Pride – Gavin Vellines; Most Artistic – Breiton Hackworth; Most Awesome – Arcadia Pendleton.
Wolf Cubs: Judges’ Favorite – Charles Phillips; Most Patriotic – Lane Harmon; Best Themed Car – Robert Crookshanks; Best Imagination – Jed Metzgar.
Bear Cubs: Classic Car Design – Kenny Pendleton; Eye-Catching Design – Henry Rust; Best Craftsmanship – Ezekiel Overton; Most Decals – Isaac Hutchins; Fast Furious – Emery Warner; Shiniest Paint Job – Liam Worthington-Deeble.
Webelos: Innovative Design – Nicholas Horning; Classic Car Design – Alasdair Hackworth; Best Workmanship – Christopher Metz; Coolest Design – Mason Malcom; Best Colors – Lilly Withers; Hot Rod – Draco Custer.
Arrow of Lighters: Sporty-Looking – Trenton Gurnee; Coolest Paint Job – Joshua Stoddard; Best Use of Color – Zathan Burton; Most Aerodynamic – Kellen Mitchell.
