My son Aaron had his Pack derby yesterday. He is a Tiger Cub and has been looking forward to the Pinewood Derby since we signed up him up for Scouts this year.
We didn't ask any questions on the site, just digested what was here and what is here is a gold mine!
We had a small incident while polishing the axles, he reached over an axle chucked up and spinning in the Dremel and got cut by nail head, so, he learned a valuable lesson about power tools that I assumed he all ready knew.
Aaron decided that he wanted a 3 wheel touching rail-rider after I presented the options and explained how and why RR and 3-wheeling works. It amazed me that I was able to explain that stuff to 6 year old and that he was able to grasp the concepts. (I learned a valuable lesson here, Don't underestimate what kids will absorb if we take the time to explain it and allow them to ask questions!)
Aaron picked his two favorite colors for the car, green background with a gold arrow down the middle. He named the car "The Gold Arrow." He let me pick our team name, "The Gold Standard."
Race day results: 1st place in Tiger Cub Den and 1st Place Overall!!!!!! He beat the kid who had won overall the past 3 years.
I was so proud when Aaron walked up the Scout, shook his hand and said, "Good race." I was watching my son all day and was proud that he was not being a poor-winner. He would do a little fist-pump and a quiet "Yes" when his car would win and that was it, no NFL end-zone display.
As you can probably tell, I am quite proud of my son but am mostly proud of his behavior, and am happy that he had fun.
This picture says it all:
Oh yeah, almost forgot that I got 2nd in Dad's race with car I built along side Aaron's. I would show him what needed to be done using my car and then he would execute it on his car. And we were able to help a boy who didn't have enough clearance under the car to bend the axles and pass inspection.
Jzarvey!
