Moms Can Do Boy “Things”
If you have a son or two who are of Boy Scout age, you may be worrying about their joining up. What if they need to do ‘boy’ things? Can single moms step in and fill the void if dad lives far away or is not in the picture? Certainly.
The hardest obstacle may be the Pinewood Derby, held every winter or spring. In case you don't know, the Pinewood Derby is an annual race where boys make a car and race them against their pack members. It sounds easy enough, but when you get a box with a chunk of pine that is six inches long by 2 inches tall and 2 inches wide, you're at a loss. How can you make this wood chunk look like a car, let alone go don a track with some speed?
Shaping the Car
The easy way is to call in relatives for assistance. An uncle, cousin or grandpa who knows a little about woodworking would probably be more than happy to help. They might have even been a Boy Scout themselves, and have many tips to follow. They will already know what the rules are which makes you two steps ahead of the game.
However, you may not be a single mom lucky enough to have a male relative nearby. So then what do you do? Believe it or not, you – a single mom without power tools - can make a Pinewood Derby car. Following are tips for the single mom who has Boy Scouts to be able to proceed with confidence in a Pinewood Derby.
Pinewood Derby Race Tips for Single Moms:
- Don't buy the kit in from a hobby store. The design looks good and is easy enough to finish, but it will not go down the track fast. And that is the bottom line - getting fast race times. The kit cars are heavier, therefore they don't allow any weight to be added to the front of the car, making it go slower. The kit care may not have a very aerodynamic design, either, which is essential for quick racing.
- Check with the local home improvement store. They often hold workshops where you use their tools to carve the shape of your car. They will give you pointers on the design of your car, since they have done it for many years also. They also have employees who can actually run the power tools if you aren't comfortable doing it.
- Scour the internet. The information highway is also a picture book. Lots of boys have taken pictures of past cars, which can give you ideas for your own design. You can see previous designs and tweak them to your liking. Think like regular cars, aerodynamics and front weight make a speed difference.
- Ask your den leader for tips. Chances are they were a boy scout too and know the ropes. There are things like graphite dust, lubricants, etc. that are legal and make the car go faster. The leaders do want the boys to succeed, so they are glad to offer help.
- Hit the library. There are Pinewood Derby books that can give you tips on what else to do to make your car fast. It is an annual nationwide event, so information should be readily available, no matter where you live. If the library doesn't have the specific book you seek, a bookstore will.
Finishing the Car
Once you have the design of the car, it is a matter of sanding off smooth edges, painting it and hooking in the wheels to finish it up. The nails and wheels are regulation sizze from the Boy Scouts and are placed in axle holes which are precut. The kit cars from a store are allowed, as long as the car fits the weight, height and measurement restrictions, according to the Boy Scouts rules. Your group should have a time trials event before the race, so you can determine how fast your car is compared to others. Tweaking of the cars is allowed up until race day.
Do not be intimidated by Boy Scout activities and the fear you cannot help your son compete. With a little research, and a little work, all things are possible. Your son will thank you in the long run!
