Friday, December 14, 2012

Pinewood Derby News (5 JAN 2013)

Zoom on over to the Pack 115 Pinewood Derby for some high-speed fun! The derby is open to all cub scouts from each pack in the district. Come cheer for the scouts and see all the hard work they have done to make the fastest and most stylish cars in the Pack!
Trophies and/or Certificates awarded for the following:
  • Fastest in Pack – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
  • Fastest for each rank – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
  • Most Creative for each rank
  • Funniest for each rank
  • Best Workmanship for each rank
Weigh-in Date: Friday, January 4th, 2013
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00PM (CWES Cafeteria)
Note: Weigh-In, registration/impound and event set-up. Please try to make this because we won’t be able to process all the scouts on the day of the event. The movie “Down and Derby” will begin at 7:00pm
Race Date: Saturday, January 5th, 2013
Location: Crofton Woods Elementary School Cafeteria
Final Weigh-in: 8:00 AM until 8:30 AM
Racing schedule:
  • 0900 - 1030 Tiger, Wolf, Bear Heats
  • 1030 - 1100 Webelos 1, 2 heats
  • 1115 - 1145 Finals
  • 1200 - 1245 Exhibition heats
Cost: FREE
Rain/Snow Date: Saturday, January 12th, 2013
Special Event: This year we are introducing the exhibition event. This is open to Adults and siblings. You will have to purchase your own kit. Michaels and the Scout store have kits. The same rules will apply.
Time: After the championship finals.
Cost: $5
Committee Chairperson – Scott Abramson, scottabramson@gmail.com, 301-802-4700 (cell)

Rules

Pinewood Derby Rules

The car must have been made during the current year (the scouting year (AUG-JUL) in which the derby is held) with the kit that is provided at the November Pack meeting. Car must be made from the Official BSA Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit (Official BSA wheels and axles may be used as well) using the following specifications.

LENGTH, WIDTH, & CLEARANCE

  • Car cannot be more than 2 ¾” wide (including wheels and axles) or 7” long
  • Overall car height shall not exceed 3” from the ground
  • In order to clear the center guide strip of the track the minimum width between wheels shall be 1 ¾” and minimum clearance between bottom of car and track shall be 3/8”
  • If desired, you may change the wheel base (the distance between the front and rear axles)
  • WEIGHT AND APPEARANCE
  • Weight shall not exceed five (5) ounces
  • The reading of the official race scale will be considered final
  • The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal only
  • All items must be securely built into the body or firmly affixed to the car
  • No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car
  • All weights shall be passive – non-moveable, non-magnetic, non-electric, etc.
  • The forward most edge of the car must be ¾” (.75 inch) wide in order to rest against the rear of the starting gate pin (in center of its lane). If the front of the car is pointed and doesn’t meet this measurement, the car will race with the rear end becoming the front. If the rear end is also less ¾” of an inch, the car will not race.
  • The forward most edge of the car must be the one piece wood block from the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit. No devices which allow a faster start are permitted.
  • Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the above mentioned specifications
  • The car body must not have any moving parts
  • Cars with wet paint will not be accepted

WHEELS AND AXLES

  • Official BSA axles and wheels must be used
  • All 4 wheels must touch the ground
  • Wheels may be lightly sanded to smooth out molding imperfections in the tread area only
  • Beveling, tapering, thin sanding, wafering, or lathe turning of the wheels is prohibited
  • No reduction in the width, diameter, or shape is allowed
  • Axles may not be altered in any way except for filing of the nub at the head of the nail and polishing
  • The front edge of the wheels must be behind the nose of the car (100% of the car behind starting peg)
  • Wheel bearings, washers, bushings and hubcaps are prohibited
  • The car shall not ride on any type of springs
  • The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting device, or other type of propulsion

LUBRICATION

  • Use dry powered lubricants ONLY
  • You may not use any other lubricant, especially oils and silicone sprays since they may soften the plastic parts and/or damage the surface of the track
  • No graphite may be applied once the car has been registered. Scouts will be allowed to lubricate their cars before the championship round.

THE PINEWOOD DERBY RACE RULES AND PROCEDURES 

  • Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Team before it may compete. The inspection team has the right to disqualify those cars that do not meet these rules. Car owners will be informed of violations and may modify the car to meet these rules provided that the car can pass all the rules before the closing time for registration.
  • No one is allowed to touch any car on the “pit” table once the car is registered, inspected and weighed.
  • Scouts may only handle their car again if there is a need to make repairs to the car as allowed in the rules.
  • If a car jumps off the track, the heat will be run again. If the same car jumps off the track a second time, it will automatically lose the heat.
  • If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the heat will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane a second time and interferes with another car, the heat will be run again without the interfering car. The interfering car will automatically lose the heat. 
  • If a car suffers a mechanical problem, loses an axle, breaks a wheel, etc., and a repair can be accomplished (if it is still in the race) it will be allowed to be repaired and continue. Damage repair shall be allowed during the Derby only if it does not delay the race for more than five (5) minutes. No modifications shall be allowed. The Official Inspection Team reserves the right to inspect and/or reweigh the car before proceeding. Damage must be evident to race officials. Repair is one-time only.
  • Only race officials may enter the track area.
  • Ungentlemanly and unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience will be grounds for dismissal from the competition and/or race area.
  •  The top three (3) winners from each bracket/rank are eligible to race in the finals. The final championship race will be the last race of the day unless there is an exhibition event.
  • Awards will be presented at the completion of all races. Additional recognition will be awarded based on creativity, workmanship and funniest.
  • Any participant has the right of appeal to the Pinewood Derby Committee for an interpretation of these rules. The Pinewood Derby Committee, by majority vote, will be the final judge of these rules and their interpretation. In case of a tie vote, the decision of the Pinewood Derby Committee Chairperson will be final.
Please remember that the scouts, not the parents, should be making the most significant contribution to the creation of their pinewood derby car. The most important values in Pinewood Derby competition are parent/scout participation, good sportsmanship and learning how to follow rules.
 
ALL RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED
 
GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

CWES Fall Cleanup

The morning of November 17th at Crofton Woods Elementary School was filled with coffee, donuts, rakes, blowers, trash bags, some scouts, their parents and somewhere between 1.2 to 2 billion leaves. It was a beautiful day. Kids made a few piles and cannonballed in for some good ole fun. Who says you can't mix work with fun!

Scouts got started early!
Just after cannonball fun!


Saturday, December 1, 2012

Webelos' American History Museum Outing

On Sunday, November 11th, boys from the Webelos I and Webelos II dens went to the American History Museum for their November Den meeting. They not only were able to complete most of the requirements for their Citizenship Activity Badge, but also had a great time as you can tell by the pictures! The Webelos II den has been mentoring the boys from the Webelo I den with great success this Fall.

The visit included tours of:
  • The Star Spangled Banner: Included interactive exhibits and the Original Flag
  • American Presidency: Over 900 Presidential items on display
  • The Price of Freedom: Americans at War
  • Stories of Money: The history of Money
  • Gun Boat Philadelphia: Used in 1776 during Battle with British. Pulled from Lake Champlain in NY in 1935




Sunday, October 28, 2012

Ghoulish Times at Trunk or Treat Pack Meeting


The Scouts of Pack 115 strive to be helpful, brave...and ghoulish. This was certainly the case during the recent October Pack meeting, as the kids emerged as mummies, vampires, zombies, and other assorted creatures of mayhem for our Annual "Trunk-or-Treat."
Trunk or Treat?
The cars and vans serving as stops for treats were the perfect eerie backdrop to the evening, thanks to our great Den leaders and other adults who strung spider webs, gelled eyeballs, and kept the candy well-stocked.  The Dens really outdid themselves this year when decorating their vehicles -- was that a remote-controlled zombie head. Talk about a great way to get kids interested in engineering!

Tunnel of Doom
A special note of appreciation to the Miller and Morgan families who set up and manned the popular "Tunnel of Doom."  While the tunnel's features are too frightening to detail in a family blog, the long line of brave scouts leading to it says it all.

Yikes!! Zombies, eyeballs and brains!
Thank you again to our dedicated families and friends who made the Annual Trunk-or-Treat a real, well, treat for our Scouts.  If you missed it this year, don't worry.  A tombstone outside Den 7's van: "RIP the Pilsbury Doughboy. He will rise again."

Have a happy and safe Halloween -- and keep an eye on Hurricane Sandy.

Hulk transformed from a scout!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Rescheduled Trunk or Treat Pack Meeting

Big apologies but we have had to reschedule the Trunk or Treat pack meeting to this Wednesday (24 OCT) instead of Tuesday (23 OCT). It will be at the CWES cafeteria, as usual. It will go from 7 pm to 8:15 pm. Hope everyone can make it. It will be a SPOOKTACULAR time!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Fall Camp 2012

Broad creek scout reservation, nestled 30 minutes north of Aberdeen, MD, served as Pack 115's stomping grounds for fall camp once again. Some scouts arrived Friday evening and enjoyed some roasted marshmallows over camp fires while the others rolled in early Saturday morning.

Den 7 warming up their hands after marshmallow roasting
The elderly lady Lenkart
On Saturday morning the boys filled their bellies up and headed over to the flag raising ceremony at Conowingo cabin. From there each den went back to their respective cabins and attended their achievement station. Then each den moved to the station until all the cabins had been visited. The Den's put together the following achievement stations: Wildlife Conservation, Physical Fitness, Map & Compass and Courage & Leadership. This concluded the morning activities and the boys went back for lunch.

Jackson and Dino battling Matthew and Zef!
After lunch the scouts swung on over to Conowingo for some soccer, football and zip line action. They then went on a hike to the nearby Dam and then on a trail. As they were headed back, Scott Cochrane let the scouts know that he had arranged a little surprise. The boys would be able to use the Archery range! After some safety instructions the boys were each able to shoot one round of archery before heading back for dinner.

After dinner, an evening ceremony was planned at the Dan Beard cabin. The scouts gathered around the fire and each of the den's took their turn entertaining everyone with skits. Let's just say pack 115 is a bunch of comedians. The scouts were then provided some hot chocolate and trail mix to replenish the energy levels. After the ceremony the boys all decided to play a game of tag with their flash lights. As energy levels started to fade they all went back to their cabins and crashed hard on their cots.

RJ zipping along!
Zef is cruising!
Crazy pose, Hike break!
Brendan takes aim!
Sunday morning was a time for Scouts own service followed by a flag closing ceremony. And that concluded  another year of Fall camping. The boys had a great time learning, playing and enjoying the outdoors!

Check out the gallery section for more pictures.

The pack would like to thank the Den leaders and adults that contributed to making Fall camp a great success. Lastly and certainly not least, the pack would like to send out a special thanks to Scott Cochrane! His efforts don't go unnoticed and he did a remarkable job coordinating all that is required for a very successful camping experience for the scouts.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Webelos Woods 2012

The weekend of September 21st saw the annual return of the Capitol District's Webelos Woods at Colhone Farm in Harwood, MD. 

The Pack 115 Webelos I & II's participated in day and evening schedule of advancement and fun, much like Boy Scout Camporee.  The activity also allows the Webelos to try their hand at tent camping as well to hone their outdoor skills in preparation for advancement to Boy Scouts.  The boy's took it a step further this year and prepared their own steak dinner on Saturday evening after a full day of activities.



Doug Anderson once again provided an outstanding venue where local Boy Scout troops hosted B-B shooting, Archery, Saturday Night Campfire, Model Rockets, Canoeing, Pack Competitions and evening Bonfire.  Most of the activities are designed to help the Webelos complete their requirements for Arrow of Light Award prior to bridging into Boy Scout Troops.


The evening wound down with Pack skits at the bonfire before settling back into the 115 camp for s'mores and stories.  A few even sampled the local cuisine available and everyone enjoyed the good living.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Pack Meeting Rescheduled

The September pack meeting has been rescheduled for next Tuesday (25 SEPT) at 7pm in the CWES cafeteria. Hope to see everyone there.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Pack Meeting Canceled (Soon to be rescheduled)

Unfortunately the impending inclement weather has forced the school to close and our Pack meeting tonight canceled. We should be able to reschedule for next Tuesday (25 SEPT). Stay tuned for more information.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Pack Meeting (Cooperation)

Tuesday (18 SEPT) is our first pack meeting of the school year. It is from 7-8:15pm in the Crofton Woods Elementary School cafeteria. If your boy isn't a member, no worries, stop on by and see what we are all about. The theme for this month is cooperation and we will have some fun games for the kids to play.

Cooperation: Being helpful and working together with others toward a common goal.

We will have an opening and closing ceremony, the kids will break out to play sharks and minnows and kickball (brief explanations below) while the leadership team talks to the adults about the upcoming year. Everyone will come back and the popcorn kernel will talk to us all about our yearly fundraising activity. Next will be some skit/song/stunt time, awards recognition and then wrap things up.

Hope to see everyone out there.

Kickball - Divide the group into two teams. One team fields the ball while the other team kicks. The goal is to get the kicking team out by catching the ball before it touches the ground, tagging them with the ball before they reach the next base, or beating the base runner to the base with the ball. Points are scored by players rounding the bases to home plate to score points. The team with the most points is the winner.

Sharks and Minnows - Game is played with a divided course. The, “shark” is in the middle of the marked off course. The other players, “minnows” line up at one end of the course. On the command “go” the minnows try to run to the other end of the course without being touched by the shark. They must stay within the designated boundaries as they attempt to reach the other side. The minnows that get touched by a shark are now turned into sharks. They stay in the middle and the game keeps repeating itself until one minnow is left...the winner!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Pack 115 T-Shirt Friday

This Friday is wear your pack 115 T-shirt to school day! We are having short Boy Talks with each of the grade levels this Friday and it would be great for the other kids to see that some of their friends are already part of the pack.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Join us at Back to School Night

Come on down to Crofton Woods Elementary School and join us at Back to School Night! It is happening on September 4th from 6-7 pm.

We will have a table with pictures from some of our events as well as some pinewood derby cars and raingutter regatta boats. You will have a chance to talk with some of the leaders of Pack 115 and get an idea of the exciting things we do during the year. We will have membership forms to fill out if you are interested in joining. Our first Pack meeting will be on September 18th from 7-8:15 pm.

Some more information on Back to School night is available on the Crofton PTA site

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Raingutter Regatta 2012


Let the racing begin!
We had a great showing today at St. Paul's Lutheran Church for the annual Pack 115 Raingutter Regatta. The forecast called for a chance a rain and we had a few drops but nothing significant. The boys were given a boat kit about a month before the race and with a little sanding, glue and paint the boats were ready to go. We had lots of creative paint jobs and designs.

We started things off with some donuts, water, juice and coffee (for the adults of course). The kids were assigned numbers and the first 4 heats got under way. The scouts just had to keep their hands behind their backs and just use the hot air in their lungs to move the boats to the finish line without passing out.

Huff and puff!
In the opening heats each scout was able to race each other and after the heats were complete the top 10 was determined. The top 10 then ran 2 separate heats. From those races the top 5 were determined and they then raced against each other to figure out the final placings.

The top 4 were Nicholas Licsko (4th), Zefram Cochrane (3rd), Daniel Eckroad (2nd) and Jackson Sjoberg (1st).

The scouts had a great time! Thank you for coming out. Also thank you to all the volunteers that helped make it possible for the boys to race.
On your mark, get set, GO!!
The top 4 (Daniel, Zefram, Nicholas, Jackson).
More action!
Very close race!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Let the sailing begin!

Join us as we get the scouting season under way with the annual raingutter regatta. This year it will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church (1370 Defense Highway, Gambrills, MD). Registration for Pack 115 cub scouts begins at 9:00am. Racing action gets under way at 9:30 and goes until 11 or so.