Pinewood Derby: Five Ounces at a Scale 200 MPH

With the turn of a lever, five ounces of wood and zinc sped at a scale of 200 mph in under four seconds in Lansdale Saturday morning.

No speeding tickets here — speed is the name of the game at a Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.

Cub Pack 62, sponsored by St. John's United Church of Christ in Lansdale, held its annual competition in the activity room of the church. Troop 62 Scouts volunteered in the kitchen, providing hot dogs, bagels, doughnuts, coffee and more to parents and peers.

Each Pinewood Derby car is carved and designed by Cub Scouts and their parent or guardian. After all the pizazz and decor, the cars are then raced in heats to find the first, second and third place winners in the end.

The four-hour event at St. John's UCC also had the chance for the Scouts and visitors to vote for their favorite car. That car is then awarded Best in Show.

Cubmaster John Squeri said they run as many cars down the tracks as they can in four hours. 

"Slowly, it builds up records for each car. We schedule it to give as many kids wins as possible, while still giving a final three," Squeri said. "We encourage dads to work with their kids."

Cub Pack 62 and Troop 62 are currently seeking new Scouts. Cub Scouts must begin at Tiger Cubs. Squeri said there are about 15 Cub Scouts in Pack 62.

"We're at a low spot," he said. "We're a strong group, but we're a small group. We are working on building that up."

Other events Cub Pack 62 organizes include a bowling party at Earl Bowl in Franconia, rock climbing at Doylestown Rock Gym and a summer campout at Musser Scout Reservation on the Unami Creek.

Interested? Questions? Contact Squeri at cubpac62@gmail.com.