Lakenheath Cub Scouts host annual Pinewood Derby

BRANDON, SFK, UNITED KINGDOM

02.24.2015

Story by Senior Airman Nigel Sandridge 

48th Fighter Wing

By Senior Airman Nigel Sandridge
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – Cub Scout Pack 219 hosted their Pinewood Derby at the Base Exchange on Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Feb. 24.

The Pinewood Derby is a yearly event in which scouts race handcrafted cars carved from wood.

Catered to youngcub scouts, the Pinewood Derby was created in 1953 by Boy Scouts of America Cubmaster Don Murphy of Pack 280C. It is a Spring father-son sport.

“I have very fond memories of doing this with my father,” explained Lt. Col. David Kuch, 48th Medical Support Squadron flight commander. “I remember being in the garage with him and getting to use tools I had never seen before to build these cars. Now, I get to do it with my son.”

Aside with being a sport, Pinewood Derby allows competitors to not only build cars, but also apply educational aspects.

“I spent two days sanding my car for aerodynamics with my dad,” said 9-year-old scout Garrett Kuch. “He taught me not to do it all in one day and to just let the ideas come.”

All cars were made from a 7-inch piece of pine and had to be the Boy Scouts of America regulated five ounces to participate.

“It was great to see all the different cars and hard work demonstrated by the youth,” said Capt. Zackery Kalinauskas, 48th Medical Group disease manager and Pack 219 Cubmaster, “I even saw a Hummer, R2-D2 and Olaf from Frozen running down the track. The derby is a great example of the son and parent relationship that the cub scouts promote.”

Winners of RAF Lakenheath’s derby contests will compete in the Mayflower District race at RAF Feltwell on March 28th.

For more information on RAF Lakenheath Cub Scout Pack 219, e-mail [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 02.24.2015
• Date Posted: 03.02.2015 11:43
• Story ID: 155693
• Location: BRANDON, SFK, GB