Saturday’s Pinewood Derby workshop at Camp Seton included Kevin Gillick (left) posing with Gabriel Bisio, Rob Kriskey, Craig Broderick, Bill Gordon and Mike Convey.
On Saturday at Camp Seton about 80 Cub Scouts and their parents gave shape to race cars crated from wood blocks during the second of two Pinewood Derby workshops. In anticipation of the March 11 Pinewood Derby, the boys each selected a template and stenciled the pattern onto a block of wood. From there, they put on safety goggles and cut out their cars in the woodshop. Lastly, the process of sanding began.
“They learn the fundamentals of woodworking and safety, and make a cool car,” said special events coordinator Emilia Schiro, who was overseeing the event with District Director Ray Garrison. The boys also had a chance to purchase decals, weights, and colored wheels to enhance their cars before taking them home to assemble and paint.
At the Pinewood Derby, each car’s weight is limited to 5 ounces. If a car is less than that, the boys can add coin or other weight to reach 5 ounces. Ideally the boys will pick a design that allows the air to move over and around the car body smoothly because derby cars with aerodynamic profiles go faster. It’s also important to make sure it’s clear which end of the car is the front and which is the back.
“I was never a Scout as a boy,” said Tim Kelly whose sons Campbell and Calder, both 6, were enjoying the workshop on Saturday. Kelly said this year will be the first Pinewood Derby for his boys. “The word about scouting spread through North Street School. That’s how we learned about our pack. We did a campout in October and slept over for the first time. The boys loved it.”
Gabriel Bisio and his second grader who shares his name, were looking forward to their second Pinewood Derby. The Bisios are part of pack 9, which includes boys from North Street and Julian Curtiss. The cubmaster is Camille Broderick.
“Last year the car was more curved and unusual. It looked more like a race car. This year the goal is to make it more smooth,” he said. “His grandpa put some time into it and went on the Pinewood Derby website. He’s thinking about putting graphite on the axles to make it go faster.”
Bisio, who said said when he was young his father had worked a lot and died at a young age. “So I thought if I had the time, I’d do a lot with my kids.”
The Cub Scouts will hold races within their packs in February. Winners – the top three fastest cars per pack – will go on to the championship on March 10. The location for the championship has yet to be announced.
Tim Kelly and his sons Campbell and Calder, both 6, (who have a triplet sister who is a Girl Scout Daisy) at the Pinewood Derby workshop at Camp Seton, Jan 6, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Carl Marianaccio, cubmaster for pack 35, and Emilia Schiro at the Pinewood Derby workshop at Camp Seton, Jan 6, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Gabriel Bisio and his son who shares his name at the Pinewood Derby workshop on Jan 6, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Cutting out cars from wood blocks in the woodshop at Camp Seton on Jan 6, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Camille Broderick helping Cub Scouts during the Pinewood Derby workshop on Dec 2 at Camp Seton. Contributed photo
Tiger Scout Matthew Bergner with dad Justin sanding during the Dec 2 Pinewood Derby workshop at Camp Seton. contributed photo
Satya (Pack 23) and his father Rathinasamy Moran with Cubmaster Cindy DiPreta stenciling woodblock at the Dec 2 workshop at Camp Seton. contributed photo
Assistant Cub Master Bob Strassel, from Pack 20 out of Cos Cob, helping a tiger cub with carving during at the Dec 2 Pinewood Derby workshop at Camp Seton. contributed photo
Tony Yu with Lion Cub Zachary Yu and Bear Cub Alexander Yu at the Dec 2 workshop at Camp Seton. Contributed photo
Steve Kurczewski and Bear Cub Scout Timothy Kurczewski from Pack 23 having just finished shaping a car for the upcoming Pinewood Derby. contributed photo
Alexander Yu and George Wang from Pack 23 busy sanding their cars during the Dec 2 Pinewood Derby workshop at Camp Seton. contributed photo
The sign at Ernest Thompson Seton Reservation on Riversville Rd in the bright sun on a super cold Saturday. Jan 6, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager