Based at Trinity Presbyterian Church in McKinney, TX, Pack 496 provides a quality year-round program.
In Pack 496, the big race usually happens in late January or early February. Kits are normally distributed to each Scout at the pack meeting in December.
The pinewood cars are designed and built by Scouts with help of a parent or other adult partner using materials from the provided kit and other craft supplies. The car can take a few hours or many days to build, depending on the complexity of the chosen design and skill of the builders.
Don’t let your Scout wait until the last minute to get started! Certain steps, like acquiring supplies and waiting for glue or paint to dry, can take longer than anticipated. Some ideas might not work out and need to be redone. Younger scouts have short attention spans and need frequent breaks. Cold, wet weather can make it unpleasant to work in an unheated garage and interferes with tasks (like painting or sanding) that you might prefer to do outside.
Building the car is supposed to be a fun, collaborative project that enhances the bonding between a Scout and his/her adult partner. This works best when there is good communication and alignment on the plan, and plenty of time (several days at least) to complete the work in short stints, rather than one heroic sprint.
Every Cub Scout pack has its own rules for Pinewood Derby. Make sure to review and follow our pack’s Pinewood Derby Rules. All cars are inspected at check-in before the race, and the Pack’s rules are kindly (but strictly) enforced for fairness.
List of rules for the new 2024/2025 school year coming soon...
When picking a design and decorating the car, it pays to be creative! See the Award Categories listed below. Your Scout might decide to aim for a creative design rather than having the fastest car.
List of awards for the new 2024/2025 school year coming soon...
There are lots of Pinewood Derby tips, tricks, and ideas online. It’s easy to find yourself going down some deep rabbit holes. Here are a few links to start your journey…
Scout Life Magazine’s Pinewood Derby HQ
Pinewood Derby FAQ (Scout Life)
Parts Geek’s Guide to Pinewood Derby (Thanks, Jason & Nick!)
The Science of Making the Fastest Pinewood Derby Car (YouTube)
Pinewood Derby Physics (Wired Magazine)
Make sure that any tips you follow comply with our Pack Rules.
