Combat Center Cub Scouts race for gold

Photo By Sgt. Levi Schultz | Roman Wylie, 10, son of Col. Jay Wylie, director, G-4 Installation and Logistics, displays his racecar, the Gator, and his first place trophy during the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby at the Armed Services YMCA aboard the Combat Center, Jan. 23, 2016. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Schultz/Released)  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

01.26.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Levi Schultz 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - The sound of children cheering echoed across the makeshift racetrack as finely-tuned racecars flew across the finish line. This race was special though, because in lieu of high-performance engines, the vehicles owed their rapid acceleration to ingenuity, determination and gravity.

Cub Scout Pack 78, located aboard the Combat Center, held their annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby at the Scout Hut, found behind the Armed Services YMCA, Jan. 23, 2016. Prior to the event, the Scouts created their own racecar out of wood, which they were allowed to customize in appearance. The children then competed in a series of races down a metal racetrack with trophies for first, second and third place.

“A lot of people associate pinewood derbies with the Cub Scouts,” said Nicole Fenstermaker, troop coordinator, Cub Scout Pack 78. “Every year, the biggest thing we try to teach the children is that they are racing against themselves. It doesn’t matter what the other car is doing because it’s all about bettering their own.”

According to Fenstermaker, the pack currently has 38 boys registered between the 1st and 5th grades from families located on base.

“Sometimes our events involve just the Scouts and others can include the whole family,” Fenstermaker said. “We usually include a sibling or adult category [for this event] each year so they can have fun as well.”

Taking home the first place trophy, Roman Wylie, 10, son of Col. Jay Wylie, director, G-4, had the fastest overall time with his racecar, the Gator.

• Date Taken: 01.26.2016
• Date Posted: 01.27.2016 20:54
• Story ID: 187191
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US