Kennebec Valley District Pinewood Derby held in Gardiner

GARDINER — Thirty-eight Cub Scouts from across the region competed in the Kennebec Valley District Pinewood Derby races, held April 1 at Christ Church on the Common.

These youth had won in their respective age divisions at their local Cub Scout pack before moving on to the district races. Once there, two sets of races were held. The first was for younger Cub Scouts, those in Lions, Tigers and Wolves, grades K-2. The second set of races were for older Cubs, those in the Bear, Webelos and Arrow of Light groups, grades 3-5.

In December, Cubs in each pack were given the pinewood derby kit which included a block of wood, four wheels and four axles. The Cubs, with the help of an adult, fashioned their derby cars out of these raw component parts resulting in a range of cars of various colors and styles. There were specific rules they had to follow regarding limits on size and weight, but otherwise they could design, build and decorate their derby cars as they chose.

These cars then competed in four heats on the 35-foot track, according to a news release from Chuck Mahaleris, district chairman for the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting.

Among the younger Cub Scouts, Avrilynn St. Amand of Pittston from Gardiner Pack 672 took first place with her “Cheese” car. Avrilynn is a Tiger Cub. Second place in this division went to Tiger Cub Beckett Metcalf of Vassalboro with his “Lightning McQueen” car. Beckett is a member of Vassalboro Pack 410. Third place was taken by the Charizard car made by Tiger Cub Jaxxson Bedsaul of Augusta with the Augusta Pack 684. Fourth went to Wolf Cub Campbell Owen’s “The Creeper.”

Campbell, of West Gardiner, is a member of Pack 672 in Gardiner. His was the fastest among the Wolf Cubs. Delilah Howard of Hallowell had the fastest car for the Lion Cubs.

Webelos Cub Joshua Riddle’s “Copy Cat” car was the fastest among the older Cubs. Riddle, of Gardiner, is a member of Cub Pack 672 in Gardiner. Second place went to the “B17 Bomber” owned by Bear Cub Woody Hopkins of Gardiner with Pack 672. Cody St. Amand of Pittston, working towards his Arrow of Light rank, took third place with his “Kachow” car. He is a member of Gardiner Pack 672.

Fourth was captured by Bear Cub Silas Burton’s “Tsunami.” Silas is a member of Cub Pack 454 in Oakland and lives in Mount Vernon. He came in second among all the Bear Cubs.

“One of the most important lessons today,” said Kennebec Valley District Program Director Julie McKenney of Belgrade, “is good sportsmanship. We want to see our Cub Scouts not only happy when their car does well but to be there to cheer on their friends and other Cubs they haven’t met yet. Good sportsmanship is very important not only in the Pinewood Derby but in life.”

The race was hosted by Cub Scout Pack 672. Next year’s race is set to take place in Vassalboro with Cub Pack 410 hosting.