Pine Wood Derby

The Pack's Pinewood Derby has come and gone, but the memories will last a lifetime. I remember my first Pinewood derby. I built my car as a sleek racer, painted blue with a cut-out cockpit. Sadly, not fast enough. But, I had a great time racing it!

Little has changed, except maybe some of the technology. Cars are still original and fast, but, nowadays, we have computer controlled finish lines and videographers posting our races on the internet.

It would be great if every boy could win a trophy. American society encourages making everyone a winner. While we want every boy to try his best and be a good sportsman, the reality of the world we are preparing them for is that not everyone wins, or gets what they want, all the time. This is one reason the derby is so important as a growth tool for our scouts. No, not everyone walks home with a trophy, but everyone finishes the race with the knowledge that he has worked hard, tried his best, and supported others in their quest to excel.

I watched the races with a certain satisfaction. Forgive me for a moment of selfishness, but Saturday was my birthday. Both Friday night and Saturday were a non-stop blur of activity all geared toward watching 29 boys jump, yell, laugh, and cheer. I (like many involved) went home Saturday afternoon exhausted. I didn't need anything else for my birthday. Watching these guys was gift enough, and I'm extremely thankful to be able to be a part of it.

As we continue in our mission of building men from boys, remember the focus: our boys. Everything we do and say, whether consciously or unconsciously, is witnessed and absorbed by them. This is our opportunity to take a generation and build a promise for the future.

Thank you all for what you do, your time and talent is immeasurable!