Reminders...

I know I'm going to sound like a broken record, but Tuesday, November 27th is our PACK MEETING, starting at 7pm in the basement of the UM Church. WE WILL SETTLE UP POPCORN ACCOUNTS AT THAT TIME. It is vitally important that you are there. Lisa, our accountant, will be able to settle up any discrepancies right then and there.

Also, scouts returning from last year need to settle up any unpaid dues from last year so that we can register them when we re-charter our pack. If a scout is not registered, the scout can not attend meetings or participate in fun events like the pinewood derby.

Speaking of the Derby, we WILL BE HANDING OUT PINEWOOD CARS TO ALL REGISTERED SCOUTS AT THE PACK MEETING AS WELL. This will be the opportunity for scouts to get their free car and begin working on it.

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Next, THE CHRISTMAS PARADE: We will gather up by the Save-A-Lot at 12:30 on this Saturday, December 1st. Scouts need to wear their uniforms, but also dress warmly. If scouts want to throw candy, they can, but you need to bring your own bag of wrapped candy.

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We will be Christmas carolling for our Pack meeting in December. Because of the holidays, we will have our Pack Meeting on Thursday, December 13th. We will meet at approximately 5 p.m. at the parking lot of the UM Church, and caravan to 5 different assisted living centers in town. Afterwards, we will have hot cocoa and hand out all earned awards from popcorn sales.

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Lastly, I know many parents want to know the rules of the Pinewood Derby, even though it is not going to be held until the end of January. Posted below are the official rules for the Derby.

Only Cub Scouts are allowed to race in the official races. However, anyone associated with scouting (parents, leaders, boy scouts, brothers and sisters of scouts) can participate in the Open Class race after the cub scout official race. We also will be featuring a Hall of Champions, and want everybody who has a built one or more pinecars in the past to bring their cars so that we may display them for the boys.

FOR CUB SCOUTS: You must follow the rules for building the pinecar, and must use the official kit supplied to you by the Cub Scouts. If you need additional kits, you can purchase them from Pack 101 for $5.00. Your cars must use the block of wood and all of the stock parts which come in the kit. It must be the specified wheelbase, axle height, length, width, and weight (5.0 ounces or less). You can add weights, wood, and other parts as long as the car stays within the stated guidelines. A dry graphite-based lubricant can be used on the wheels. My advice is to apply the lubricant after you have completely finished the car. If you need to double-check the weight of your vehicle, you can do so at the Metropolis Post Office.

FOR OPEN CLASS RACERS: You must begin with an official pinecar kit. The wheelbase, axle height, and overall width of the vehicle must be as specified in the kit. However, most everything else can be modified. Although you must use the block of wood as the body, exactly how much of it you is is up to you (meaning, at least some part of the body must be made from the original block of wood). The wheels, axles, weight, and just about every other aspect of the vehicle is OPEN for interpretation (which is why it is called the Open Class). I will make any final decision about whether or not a car will be allowed to race. For example, if the car won't fit on the track, or if racing the car would damage the track, it will not be allowed to race. If you are unsure whether or not a modified car you wish to run will be allowed to race, please contact me ahead of time (618) 524-8340 or pugh@shawneelink.net and I'll make a decision about it.

Many awards will be handed out. So, having a fast racer might be great, but having a unique design, or an interesting paint job, or an unusual use of material will also be recognized, as well as many, many other attributes.

This year, we will be using our digital timer, and our two-lane custom aluminum track. This year’s Pinewood Derby should be better than ever. We look forward to seeing you there!