___ Give the Pinewood Derby kits to the cubs' parents during a Pack Night

• The kits contain a sheet with basic building rules
  
• Racing rules sample you can read to the boys so they know what to expect from the race.
• Post the date of the Derby on the kits
• Buy an extra kit or two for spare parts
• You might choose to tell the boys they will be responsible for purchasing a new kit if they break, or lose parts from the kit they are given

• A practice day will give you a chance to make sure all the cars meet regulations. This beats having any surprises the day of the Derby!
• Don't allow the boys to race against each other during practice, instead the boys can use timers to time their own cars and make adjustments on their wheels, etc. to make them run faster.

___ Send announcements for the Derby

• Announcement Sample
  
• Derby clipart and animated gifs

___ Inspect race track (make repairs if needed)

• Ideas on how to build your own race track

___ Make assignments to:

• ___ set up microfone
• ___ bring treat (and something to serve it with)
• ___ bring drinks
• ___ bring disposable plates, napkins, cups, utensils
• ___ assign a cub scout to conduct
• ___ help to clean up, etc.
• ___ get judges (preferably not related to any of the cubs)
• ___ someone to help keep track of the racing heat order
• ___ decorations
• ___ Help with "Special Awards" certificates (see below)
• ___ Help set up the race track
• ___ Print race heats (Race Chart Generator )
• ___ Build a display for the checked-in cars
• ___ Purchase any awards needed
• ___ Take pictures/bring camera
• ___ "Repair Table" - suggestions: coins/washers for weighs, tape, tape, scissors, crazy glue, extra Derby kits for spare parts, blow dryer (to help glue dry faster), drill (to drill out holes on heavy cars), etc. Let each child and /or the parents do any repairs needed)
• ___ Someone to check-in the cars (inspection sheet)
• ___ Someone to help with Derby practice

• The announcements you can print above have an area to pencil in assignements.
• Cool Derby treats!

___ Print out certificates for special awards

Some examples of special awards can be:

Hint: Print out one certificate for every cub in the Regatta. Write the names of each of the boys on the certificates. Assign someone to fill out the certificates during the Regatta. To help them fill out the certificates, you can print the list of suggestions above by clicking here.

__ Hold a Derby practice

• Review rules (example of some Derby rules). You might want to add your own rules based on what you see during practice day. Let the boys know about the change in rules.
• Preliminary Inspection Form to send home to make sure their cars meet regulation the day of the race
• When practicing, son't allow the cubs to race their cars against each other. You can bring timers to help them figure out what changes to make to their cars to make them run faster (ie. graphite, align the wheels better, etc.). ALlow the boys (or parents) to do any adjustments to the cars.
• Bring a couple af extra car kits for spare parts.
• Bring scales to weigh car

• Print racing heat forms for different number of contestants in case one or more of the cubs cannot make it to the race. You can use this Race Chart Generator

Bring (sample list):

1. Race track
2. Check-in/Inspection forms
3. coin - for tie breakers
4. Signs for judges table, inspection table, etc.
5. CD Player/CD - for background music
6. Awards
7. Camera - If not assigned to someone, or just in case!
8. Your own son's derby car!
9. "Flag" tape - to keep people away from the tracks and checked-in cars
10. Bag with numbers - for the boys to draw their racing order (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)
11. Agenda
12. Check list of things assigned (see sample above) - to check off to make sure nothing essential is missing

Extra, fun stuff:

• We had our boys fill and return this questionnaire after their cars were checked-in. We used their answers to make commentaries during the race. It turned out to be everyone's favorite! (Remember to bring pencils)
• We had the boys sign the track (with permanent ink pens) with their name and date after returning the questionnaires.
• To encourage sportsmanship (and to prevent the boys who were not racing from running all over the place) we assigned "Cheering Buddies" to each one of the boys. We basically had the boys pick a cheering buddy from a bag that had the names of the boys from the other dens. This turned out to be a great experience - the boys really tried to outdo each other with their cheers. We ended up giving an award for the best cheering buddy!

• Allow some time before the race for check-in of the cars
• During check-in, have boys return questionaires and sign track with permanent ink (if you wish to do this)
• After opening excercises, start derby music
• Assign cheering buddies
• Review racing rules
• Have the boys pick a number from a bag to see who will be 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. in the race
• Remind the boys (and parents) that the purpose of the Derby is to practice good sportmanship and to have fun!

Other helpful links:
Racing Options
The Ultimate Pine Wood Derby Site
Pinewood Derby Supersite
Hints to make a faster car
Rules/ Other Helpful links