Pinewood Derby

When and Where

When: February 24, 2025
Timeline: 7:00 pm — 9:00 pm

Location: Our Lady of Angels

The Pinewood Derby is an iconic and inspiring event that has been a cornerstone of the BSA Cub Scouts' program since its launch in 1953. It’s a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and friendly competition that scouts and families eagerly anticipate each year.

This year’s event brings an exciting twist—our track is open to everyone! Invite your friends from school, neighbors, teammates, or anyone who loves the thrill of racing. It’s a perfect opportunity to share the Pinewood Derby experience beyond the pack and create unforgettable memories together.

Our pack’s race is scheduled for February 24, just one week before the Brooklyn-wide event. To build excitement and welcome new participants, we’ll be hosting a special meeting on January 27 for prospective scouts and their families. This meeting will introduce attendees to Scouting, our Pack, and the Pinewood Derby. 

Plus, we’ll provide free Pinewood Derby car kits to youth interested in joining our pack and participating in the event! Let’s spread the word and make this year’s Pinewood Derby a celebration to remember!

What’s New?

In the past, the Derby was just for our pack’s Cub Scouts. Now, we’re welcoming members of our troop, parents, leaders, and anyone else who’s brave enough to roll up with their own creation. Yes, parents, that includes you — let’s see if your finely tuned engineering skills will lead you to victory… or to a humbling last place finish!

All are invited to show off their woodworking, painting, and creative talents. This event isn’t just about speed; it’s also about design, craftsmanship, and imagination, so don’t be afraid to let your creativity run wild with colors, themes, and decorations.

While we’re excited to open our doors to the broader community, we also hope this event inspires some of the boys who join us to consider becoming Cub Scouts — and eventually Scouts. The Pinewood Derby is just the beginning of a journey filled with adventure, learning, and camaraderie, and we’d love to see some new faces take that first step with us.

How Will We Handle It?

With more participants, you might wonder how we’ll keep everything organized. We're currently working on a new software tool designed to streamline the event. It’s still in development, but the goal is to have it ready by race day. 

This software will help us schedule races efficiently, track results instantly, and fairly compare cars — whether they belong to a Cub Scout, a senior Scout, or a daring parent.

Think of it as our secret weapon against chaos, ensuring everyone’s turn is fair and on time.

And we won’t be doing it alone. Miss Ngai, our experienced MC, will guide us through each heat, while some of our youngest troop members, will manage the software and keep the races rolling smoothly. They’re learning valuable skills now so that, a few years down the road, they can pass this experience on to the next generation of scouts.

What About Fairness?

You might be wondering: is it fair for a brand-new Cub Scout to race against an experienced adult? First, let’s not jump to conclusions—don’t underestimate the creativity and determination of our young scouts! Sometimes the simplest designs from Cub Scouts can outperform the sleekest, most polished cars from adults.

That said, to keep things fun and fair, we’ll have multiple categories for competition. Each Cub Scout rank will have its own division, and adults will compete in separate categories. Alongside these, we’ll also have an overall championship for those aiming for ultimate bragging rights.

This way, everyone has a shot at victory within their group, whether they’re a Tiger Cub, a Webelos, or a seasoned parent eager to relive their scouting days. It’s all about making sure every participant feels celebrated and encouraged, no matter their age or experience.

Racing isn’t the only way to win at the Pinewood Derby! We’re also introducing categories to celebrate creativity and craftsmanship. Whether your car is the fastest or not, it could still take home a prize for:

• Most Creative Design: Got an idea that’s truly out of the box? Let your imagination run wild!
• Best Theme: Whether it’s superheroes, sports, or space exploration, a strong theme can steal the show.
• Funniest Car: Who says Pinewood Derby cars can’t be hilarious? Humor is always a winner.
• Scout Spirit Award: Showcase your love for scouting with a design that represents what it means to be a scout.

These categories are open to all participants, so even if speed isn’t your strong suit, there’s still plenty of opportunity to shine. Bring your A-game, and let’s see who can think outside the box — or car, in this case!

Why Does This Matter?

By opening our event to a broader community, we’re creating a true celebration of Scouting spirit, creativity, and camaraderie. Now we can welcome more racers, see more imaginative designs, and watch as the thrill of friendly competition crosses age groups and skill levels. This is a unique chance to bring together our pack, our troop, our families, and our community in one joyful, high-energy event.

Get Ready to Race!

So start sketching those designs and dusting off your tools! Work on your cars, plan your paint jobs, and get ready to show off your creativity. Who knows — maybe this year’s winner will be someone entirely unexpected. Let’s make this Pinewood Derby a memorable, inclusive, and inspiring event that sets a new standard for fun and participation.