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Wind Power - Younger Scouts vs. Older Scouts

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:36 pm
by billbillb
Has anyone figured out a way to help "equalize" the advantage(more lung capacity) the older scouts have when they are in the race for the pack championship ? Maybe use straws ?? In our past regattas, the den races have been fine, but when it somes to the Pack championship, the older kids appear to have a significant advantage. Thanks

Re: Wind Power - Younger Scouts vs. Older Scouts

Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:13 am
by MaxV
Requiring the kids to blow through a straw does equalize it somewhat, but there will always be a discrepancy. Unlike pinewood derby racing, raingutter regatta does require skill on the part of the boat 'Captain'.

Re: Wind Power - Younger Scouts vs. Older Scouts

Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:48 am
by Da Graphite Kid
I don't think that there is a way to equalize the lung capacity advantage an older Cub Scout has versus a younger Cub Scout. While a very skilled younger Captain can beat a less experienced older Captain (even us 40+ year old 'boys' :roll: ), we don't have this situation happen very often. Most of our older Captains have a few Raingutter Regattas under their belts and so have a lung capacity and skill advantage over the younger Captains. This is why we only race within Ranks at both the Pack and District levels.


Da Graphite Kid

Re: Wind Power - Younger Scouts vs. Older Scouts

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:52 pm
by billbillb
Thanks for the reply. I like the idea of racing only within the ranks.

Re: Wind Power - Younger Scouts vs. Older Scouts

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 9:11 am
by Da Graphite Kid
billbillb,

While racing within the Ranks; don't forget the other non-offical Ranks in Scouting: the adults and siblings! We have races among the Leaders and Parents as well as among the other brothers and sisters of our Cub Scouts (siblings 11 years and older are considered Adults for our races). This generates more interest from the families and brings a lot of laughs to an otherwise 'serious' event. :mrgreen: It also gives the moms and dads a chance to build their own boats to have that creative output that some of us need (allowing the boys to build their own RR boats).


Da Graphite Kid