How NOT to run a Space Derby
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:08 am
Let me preface this little story by saying that our pack seems to have an extreme shortage of volunteers for some reason (60+boys) and this whole thing appears to have been organized by 4-5 people. I do appreciate their hard work and dedication. Yes, I voluteered to help and did what was asked and more.
Now for the story.
At the beginning of the pack meeting, we have the usual presenting of the colors, announcement etc. The meeting lasts for about 75-90 minutes with different awards being presented, skits being acted out, and scout business being discussed, all while the boys are sitting with their space derby ships (many of which are being damaged by rough handling).
Now the activities start and they have the pack split up into rank with each rank being assigned one activity station at a time. One of the activities being the space derby race. There are two "tracks" set up, each being able to run four ships at a time. There are two scout leaders with electric drills to help wind. They have figured out about how long they think it will take to reach "about" 100 turns on each drill.
They take the ship from the scout and tie a knot in the end of the rubber bands around the plastic dowel. The scout is then handed his ship back to hold while it is being wound. The scout master, or parent of the scout hangs the ship on the hanger and puts it in the starting gate. There are two parents enlisted to watch the finish line.
The leaders count down and drop the gates on both tracks at the same time and all eight ships race against each other with two parents at the end trying to figure out the first place ship. That scout was declared the winner. They then move on to the next group of eight and repeat. Winners are given a certificate and a pin at the end of the racing.
Most kids, my son included, spend hours shaping, sanding, painting and applying decals. They were given one chance to race and that's all.
They offered a free form run for anyone wishing to run more. I untied the knot and wound my son's ship to l00 turns using a hand drill. It ran on the same lane and took off like... well, like a rocket. The first time it move barely 1/4 of the track. The second time, it finished the race with power to spare.
I did the same for another kid in his den that was unable to finish the race and, again, his rocket flew the length of the track without problem.
At about 9:00pm on a Friday night, we head for home.
IMHO, if you are going to bother to have the space derby, you owe it to your scouts to provide better experience. There is nothing saying that a pack must run Pinewood, Space Derby, Regatta, and Cub Mobiles every year, but if you do, each event needs to be a quality event.
Now for the story.
At the beginning of the pack meeting, we have the usual presenting of the colors, announcement etc. The meeting lasts for about 75-90 minutes with different awards being presented, skits being acted out, and scout business being discussed, all while the boys are sitting with their space derby ships (many of which are being damaged by rough handling).
Now the activities start and they have the pack split up into rank with each rank being assigned one activity station at a time. One of the activities being the space derby race. There are two "tracks" set up, each being able to run four ships at a time. There are two scout leaders with electric drills to help wind. They have figured out about how long they think it will take to reach "about" 100 turns on each drill.
They take the ship from the scout and tie a knot in the end of the rubber bands around the plastic dowel. The scout is then handed his ship back to hold while it is being wound. The scout master, or parent of the scout hangs the ship on the hanger and puts it in the starting gate. There are two parents enlisted to watch the finish line.
The leaders count down and drop the gates on both tracks at the same time and all eight ships race against each other with two parents at the end trying to figure out the first place ship. That scout was declared the winner. They then move on to the next group of eight and repeat. Winners are given a certificate and a pin at the end of the racing.
Most kids, my son included, spend hours shaping, sanding, painting and applying decals. They were given one chance to race and that's all.
They offered a free form run for anyone wishing to run more. I untied the knot and wound my son's ship to l00 turns using a hand drill. It ran on the same lane and took off like... well, like a rocket. The first time it move barely 1/4 of the track. The second time, it finished the race with power to spare.
I did the same for another kid in his den that was unable to finish the race and, again, his rocket flew the length of the track without problem.
At about 9:00pm on a Friday night, we head for home.
IMHO, if you are going to bother to have the space derby, you owe it to your scouts to provide better experience. There is nothing saying that a pack must run Pinewood, Space Derby, Regatta, and Cub Mobiles every year, but if you do, each event needs to be a quality event.