Cub Scouts race to the finish

PINE PLAINS — It wasn’t the Daytona 500, but Cub Scouts in Pine Plains’ Pack 45 still managed to pack some serious heat into their Pinewood Derby cars, a few of which managed to cruise their way onto the trophy podium last Saturday at Seymour Smith Elementary.

There are three dens in Pack 45, ranging from second to fourth grade, and 15 Scouts who have spent the last few weeks whittling away at their wooden starting blocks, trying to the make fastest, coolest and sometimes most unique cars they could to enter in competition.

The cars can’t be heavier than five ounces, and they have to be 3/8 inch off the ground. Other than that, it’s up to the Scouts (usually with a little help from their parents) to morph a chunk of wood into a race car even professionals would be proud of.

Zach Zeko, 8, was last year’s returning champion. Before the finals race he explained some of the changes he made to his car.

“It’s pretty much the same with the aerodynamics,� he said. “But I put a ‘V’ into it just for show.�

Eight-year-old Kiernan Reilly gave out a good tip: “Put a lot of graphite on the wheels. It makes it slippery so it goes faster.�

The Pinewood Derby is one of the Scouts’ favorite activities, along with camping and fishing. Whether the cars were racing officially in competition or just practicing during down time, nary a Scout could be seen without an enormous grin on his face.

While the Scouts were having a good time, it was also about shaping the children into responsible adults, explained current Cubmaster Beth Roach.

“It’s basically child enrichment, and teaching them to do their best and work hard.�

The Scouts are involved in community service activities like planting trees for Arbor Day, collecting canned goods for the local food pantry and getting involved in local recycling efforts,  including an upcoming visit to a recycling plant in Saugerties.

Stewart’s Shops has noticed the Scout’s good work, for example, recently awarding Pack 45 a $100 grant for their community efforts, which the Scout leaders said is a big help. The pack also thanked First Niagara Bank, which sponsored Saturday’s derby.

Overall winners for Pack 45’s Pinewood Derby are as follows:

Third place: Jacob Henderson, Den 5

Second place: Jacob Craig, Den 7

First place: Zach Zeko, Den 7

Other certificates and medals were awarded for individual den results and unique car designs.

Roach will be retiring from the position of cubmaster soon and will be replaced by Larry Hess. Anyone interested in joining Pack 45 can reach Roach at 845-266-3757 or Hess at 845-756-3342.

(For photos from this event turn to page A11.)

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