More than 30 handmade cars rolled down a metal track on Feb. 1 at the Cub Scout Pack 18 Pinewood Derby at Winnetka Presbyterian Church in Winnetka.
The Pinewood Derby, a popular part of the Scouting program, features derby cars that have a five ounce weight limit and are crafted from kits.
STEM or STEAM principles are used in building a pinewood derby car. This includes science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
The pack’s Cubmaster Michael Ray of Winnetka said the pinewood derby educates across generations.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to do activities with your kids that a lot of it is described as STEAM,” Ray said. “They get to use tools to build these cars, they start off as a plain brick. They cut it, they carve it, they paint it, they have to weigh it.”
Caleb Fogt, 11, a fifth grader from Winnetka, participated in his last Pinewood Derby before advancing in Scouting, but, “I’m not sad,” Caleb said.
A strong showing at this year’s Pinewood Derby was Den 5, a new den with nine girls.
“Love it, it’s the best thing that’s happened, we have a great group of girls here and they’ve really grown and they’ve really taken to the Scouting,” said Khalid Ghantous of Winnetka, assistant Cubmaster and committee chair, adding that Den 5 is one of our biggest dens they have in our pack right now.
“It’s fabulous,” Ghantous said.
A Winnetka pack den for girls was formed shortly before the 2020 onset of the COVID-19 pandemic causing it to lose some momentum according to Jennifer McDill of Winnetka, Den 5 co-leader with Anders Wick of Winnetka. Den 5 is made up of third through fifth grade students.
“We’re trying to get enough interest with the younger girls because they’re going to be the feeders for the older (Boy Scout) troop,” McDill said. “I think that this is super important especially here in Winnetka where we have a lot of very educated women but a lot of them have decided to step back (from) the workforce.”
McDill said offering opportunities like Boy Scouts is welcoming for girls at an early age and helps expose them to STEM, STEAM while also giving them e opportunity to go outside, learn how to navigate the outdoors, to be comfortable in the wild and do pretty much everything the boys are doing.
More Top Picks Best Baby Playpens
“I was a Girl Scout a long time ago,” McDill added, “and stopped after a couple years after being a Brownie. I distinctly remember that the story of the Brownies were these magical fairy people that show up at night, clean up the house and then leave without being recognized. This was 30 years ago, that was what was being taught, whereas I think the Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts get to go outside, get a little dirty and really learn some independence.”
But McDill said she does think the Girl Scouts have evolved a lot since then.
McDill’s daughter Emme, 10, a fourth grader, made a Pinewood Derby for “looks and speed, mainly trying to go for speed.”
Emme’s car ended up being the third fastest among the girls competing that day with Anya Wick just behind her and Laila Dearth just ahead. Anusha Dearth, a fellow pack member, had the second fastest car of the day overall.
Den 5’s Pinewood Derby builders included Nora Ryadi and Clara Lang, both 10, and fourth graders.
Clara made her car for the looks and said, “I honestly think women can do anything and I want to be something when I grow up that pops out of the ordinary, like everyone sees as a hero. I want to inspire people, not just even girls but also boys.”
Nora Ryadi’s green car included a panda.
“Girls can do anything,” Nora said, “I’m kind of obsessed with pandas.”
“This is her first (Pinewood Derby),” Clara’s mother Monica Lang said. “She is very excited to be here, she loves this and we just think that this is just awesome.”
Nora’s mother Mary Ryadi said, “She has a very keen interest in science and when she heard about this Cub Scout opportunity within the Boy Scouts group, and she would be able to do all of the same scientifically focused activities like rocket launching, Pinewood Derby car racing, she (Nora) was beyond excited.”
McDill would like to grow Boy Scout local pack membership among girls.
“The goal would be to have a girls’ den for each grade (like the boys have), but right now we only have one across three grades,” McDill said.
Anyone interested in learning more or joining the pack can reach the den at [email protected].
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
