Branchville Family Life Center opened its doors last month to Cub Scout Pack 712 to hold its annual version of the “Grand Prix” races.
More than 100 spectators and Cub Scouts flooded the center anxious for the race to begin. The Edisto Camp of Branchville was host to the group of families and friends during their weekend stay.
The highlight of the event was the record 35 scouts who registered and raced their cars in the competition. Each car meeting Official Pinewood Derby Rules must be inspected and weighed by a panel of judges. The cars were then numbered and placed into compound until time for the race to begin. Each car was unique, with no two being the same. An array of colors, shapes and sizes replaced the once solid block of pinewood.
The first Pinewood Derby was held in 1953 in Manhattan Beach, Calif. Cub Master Don Murphy had been looking for an activity that his 10-year-old son could participate in after being too young for a soapbox derby. He decided his Cub Scouts could work with their fathers and carve their own race cars. He felt this activity would encourage a closer father-son relationship and good sportsmanship through competition. The spirit of this event continues to remain a large part of Scouting.
The Pack 712 racers grouped together by Cub Rank to race their cars. The race includes a number of heats to determine first, second and third place in each Cub rank of racers. Various heats were then held to determine overall Pack winners. The cars traveled the sloped track with lanes down to the ground, where the nervous racer awaited his car that is powered by gravity alone. As the race continued through the day, the center was filled with many cheers and tears from those participating.
Winners were as follows:
* Tigers — Tyrique Green, first place; Brendan Sanford, second place; Ethen Brant, third place.
* Wolves — Olin Fanning, first place; Stacey Hood, second place; Cameron McAlhaney, third place.
* Bears — Michael Sandifer, first place; Davis Stembridge, second place; Trey Sanford, third place.
* Webelos — Wesley Battle, first place; Hunter Watkins, second place; Brice High, third place.
* Overall Pack winners — Tyrique Green, first place; Michael Sandifer, second place; Olin Fanning, third place.
Each boy who placed first in their Cub rank is eligible to compete in the Indian Waters Council Pinewood Derby this month. All racers were recognized with a certificate of achievement and participation.
Sponsors were Sara Lee Corp., Wal-Mart, Bi-Lo, Piggly Wiggly on Russell, Captain D’s and IGA of Holly Hill. The Pack also thanked Branchville Family Life and Edisto Camp for fostering the basic principles of bringing families together and playing together.
Cub Scout Master Jimmy Sanford leads Pack 712. He can be reached at 803-531-7733. Those interested in learning more about Cub Scouts can contact the Indian Waters Council at www.indianwaters.org.
T&D Correspondent Ginger Thompson can be reached by e-mail at vthompson@ntinet.com.