More Than Just Winning

The parents at the 2012 Seal Beach Pinewood Derby got their Cub Scout boys from Pack 116 excited about the awards ceremony by singing Pinewood Derby songs. There was an energy in the air but not, as one would expect, because the winners were finally to be announced.

The young Cub Scouts who participated in the derby were ecstatic to be spending the day with their pack. The racing day was an organized and carefully scheduled day of food, games and, of course, races.

“It’s a great feeling to be involved in a community. You know everyone and you see these people around the city all the time,” said co-parent leader of Den 3 Megan Sorenson. “This is a special group; there is a very interesting dynamic with these boys.”

On Saturday, Pack 116 of 61 Cub Scouts from the Seal Beach area gathered at the Marina Center to participate in the Pinewood Derby. The boys competed with others in their same age bracket. Family members also had the opportunity to participate in the “Big Kids” derby for a $10 donation. The boys and their families spent the month of January assembling and customizing miniature cars to race.

The Cubs received a pinewood derby kit early in January. With the help of family members, the boys followed the instructions and guidelines required for each car. Once requirements were met, the boys could customize their cars as they pleased. On race day, the pinewood car-impound lot held cars of different colors and shapes unique to each Cub.

Every month, these boys and their families have two events to look forward to. One is with their den of six to eight boys of the same age group. The other is a larger event with their entire pack, but the boys and their families do not stop there, explains Linc Frazier, the committee chair of Pack 116.

“We get the kids involved in community service. The boys are going to run a water station at Run Seal Beach for the 5K and 10K races. The boys recently cleaned up a carnival put on at McGaugh Elementary. We have some beach cleanups planned out as well,” said Frazier.

At the end of their five-hour racing day, the Cubs took turns lining up in front of the stage with their respective dens. Each Cub waited his turn to proudly receive his Pinewood Derby badge.

“See, that’s what it’s about,” said Megan Sorenson. “It’s more than just winning.”