- Welcome families
- Quick attendance/headcount
Payment Reminder
- $150 per Cub Scout — due ASAP if not already paid
- Reference the registration spreadsheet
Overview of Rules
[!info] Standard Pinewood Derby Rules There are no national BSA Pinewood Derby rules — packs set their own, typically based on these standard specs. Confirm with your district if advancing cars to council-level races.
Car Specs
- Weight: Max 5.0 oz (weighed at check-in on 3/25)
- Length: Max 7 inches
- Width: Max 2¾ inches
- Height: Max 4½ inches (no rules at some packs — check locally)
- Ground clearance: At least ⅜ inch
Wheels & Axles
- Must use official BSA kit wheels and axle nails only
- No bearings, washers, or bushings
- Axles may be polished and lubricated with dry graphite or silicone — no liquid oil
Power & Design
- Gravity-powered only — no rubber bands, motors, propellants, fans, or battery power
- Must be free-wheeling (no starting devices or brakes)
- No loose materials that could fall off during the race
The Scout Builds the Car
- Adults help with safety and power tool supervision, but the Scout does the design and building work
Sources: BSA Pinewood Derby Rules, Scout Life Official Rules
PWD Derby Month Schedule — Pinewood Derby Dates (from [[Pack 338 Spring Schedule Planning]])
| Date | Event | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 11 (Wed) | Den Meeting — Car building night | Lions, Tigers, Bears |
| Mar 18 (Wed) | Den Meeting — Car building night | Bears, Webelos, Arrow of Light |
| Mar 25 (Wed) | All Pack — Final troubleshooting & official weigh-ins | All |
| Mar 28 (Sat) | 🏁 Pinewood Derby Race | All |
Watch the Video (Optional)
- Pinewood Derby Tips Video — quick overview of how to build a competitive car
Key Reminders
- The Scout builds the car. Adults help with safety and tool supervision, but the Scout does the work.
- Each den will also work on a rank-appropriate building adventure during car-building meetings (see [[Pack 338 Spring Schedule Planning]])
- All dens earn the Race Time adventure through Pinewood Derby participation
[!tip] Dens Break Out At this point, if dens want to break out and work on their den car designs, the adults can talk Winter Camp
Weekend 1 Debrief
- From [[John Penning]]
- Weather update
- Best activities
- Recommendations for anything extra to bring or do
Dates & Location
- When: Friday, Feb 27 – Sunday, Mar 1
- Where: Camp Sheppard, 65301 SR 410 E, Enumclaw, WA 98022
- ~1.5 hrs from Seattle (~70 miles via SR-169 & SR-410)
- Driving Directions (PDF)
Logistics
- Parking: Park in the trailhead lot on the right side, follow camp host instructions. Do NOT drive into camp.
- Lodging: Heated bunkhouse-style cabins — no tents needed
- Meals: All meals provided (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Check-in: Turn in Health & Medical Record (BSA 680-001, Parts A, B1, B2) at arrival
⚠️ Reminder: Fill out your BSA Health & Medical Record forms (Parts A, B1, B2) at home before camp — they are required at check-in.
Packing List Highlights
- Dress in layers — no cotton (stays wet and cold)
- Waterproof boots, warm hat, gloves, extra socks
- Bicycle helmet — REQUIRED for snow tubing
- Sleeping bag (cold-rated), pillow, extra blanket
- Flashlight/headlamp, water bottle, travel mug
- $50 cash for Trading Post (or credit cards)
- Day pack with the Scout Six Essentials: first aid kit, water bottle, flashlight, trail food, sun protection, whistle
- Do NOT bring: sleds, tents, cooking gear, firewood
Maps
Activities
- BB guns, archery, craft lodge, hiking, scout skills, snow tubing, ecology/conservation
⚠️ BB shooting is Tiger and above only (no Lions)
Den Leaders
- Den leaders will receive separate logistics details — keep an eye out
- Each cabin will have a designated cabin leader
Skits
- Each den should start thinking about a skit to perform at campfire — brainstorm as a den before camp!
- Hand out Pinewood Derby car kits to each Scout
- Remind families: the Scout builds the car — adults guide and supervise, but this is the Scout's project
- Cars must meet official BSA specs (max 5 oz, max 7" long, must fit on the track)
- Open floor for questions about Winter Camp or Pinewood Derby
- Reminder: carpool threads already sent — reply if you need a ride
| Slide # | Title | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welcome — Pack 338 All Pack Meeting | Date: Feb 25, 2026 |
| 2 | Tonight's Agenda | Bullet list: Car Distribution, Winter Camp, Pinewood Derby |
| 3 | Pinewood Derby Car Kits | Picking up your kit tonight / The Scout builds the car / Specs: max 5 oz, max 7" |
| 4 | Winter Camp — Payment | $150 per Cub / Due now if not paid |
| 5 | Winter Camp — When & Where | Feb 27 – Mar 1 / Camp Sheppard, Enumclaw / ~1.5 hr drive |
| 6 | Winter Camp — Getting There | Driving directions / Park in trailhead lot / Don't drive into camp |
| 7 | Winter Camp — What to Pack | Layers (no cotton!) / Bike helmet / Cold-rated sleeping bag / Six Essentials / $50 cash |
| 8 | Winter Camp — Do NOT Bring | No sleds, tents, cooking gear, firewood |
| 9 | Winter Camp — Activities | BB guns (Tiger+), archery, snow tubing, craft lodge, hiking, ecology |
| 10 | Winter Camp — Den Skits | Start brainstorming a skit for campfire night! |
| 11 | Pinewood Derby — Video | Embed/play the tips video |
| 12 | Pinewood Derby — Schedule | Mar 11 & 18: Build nights / Mar 25: Weigh-ins / Mar 28: Race Day |
| 13 | Pinewood Derby — Key Rules | The Scout builds the car / Max 5 oz, max 7" / Weigh-in on 3/25 |
| 14 | Questions? | Open floor |
Key points:
- Summarize high level agenda: pinewood derby kick-off, Winter Camp logistics
- Suggest identifying some den-friendly activities for kids to do during winter camp discussion, since kids may get bored. Suggestion: have them start designing their den cars to prepare for building them during the March den meetings
- Email to come with den leader logistics for leaders coming to Winter Camp, I'll need your help
- Include a link to the detailed agenda
**Subject: Wednesday Pack Meeting — Agenda & Den Leader Heads Up**
Hey everyone,
Quick rundown for Wednesday's All Pack Meeting (Feb 25):
**Agenda Overview**
We've got two main topics: kicking off Pinewood Derby season and going over Winter Camp logistics. We'll also be handing out Pinewood Derby car kits to all the Scouts at the end.
Here's the [detailed agenda](https://gist.github.com/chrismetcalf/cc54fc37304d038cf84820285485575d) if you want to preview it.
**Den Activity During the Meeting**
The Winter Camp discussion section will be mostly parent-focused, so the kids may lose interest. I'd suggest having your den do a quick activity during that stretch — a great option would be having the Scouts start sketching out designs for their Pinewood Derby cars. That way they'll be ready to hit the ground running at the March build nights (Mar 11 for Lions/Tigers/Bears, Mar 18 for Bears/Webelos/AOL). Bring some paper and pencils if you can.
**Winter Camp — Den Leader Logistics Coming Soon**
For those of you coming to Winter Camp (Feb 27 – Mar 1 at Camp Sheppard), I'll be sending a separate email with den leader-specific logistics — cabin assignments, check-in details, and what you'll need to know as a cabin leader. Keep an eye out for that. I'll need your help pulling some of that together, so I may reach out individually.
**Reminders**
- Payment reminder: $150 per Cub Scout, due ASAP if not already paid
- Start brainstorming a den skit for campfire at Winter Camp
- Remind your families about the BSA Health & Medical Record forms (Parts A, B1, B2) — required at check-in
See you Wednesday!
Chris
- Produce slide deck
- [[John Penning]]: Can you check on Pinewood Derby race date?
- ⏫ Print a few copies of BSA Health & Medical Record forms (Parts A, B1, B2) for Winter Camp 📅 2026-02-25
- [[Otto]]: Expand upon the bullet points in the "Den Leader Email" section, using information from this document, into an email for den leaders about Wednesday's meeting. Include that email as a blockquote in markdown below the bullet points ✅ 2026-02-23
- Email extended-leadership@ with heads up about the meeting plan ✅ 2026-02-23
- ⏫ Send spring schedule to [[John Penning]], [[Anthony Bolante]] 📅 2026-02-23 ✅ 2026-02-23
- [[Otto]]: Flesh out this Rough Agenda into a Detailed Agenda. Flesh out details from related notes, suggest a sequence of slides for a slide deck ✅ 2026-02-22