03.08.10

The Weekly Newsletter of Cub Scout Pack 97

March 8 , 2010

Charlotte Checkers Scout Night

Just a reminder - this is the last week to register and pay for this event. If payment has not been received by March 9 – tickets will not be ordered for you.

Saturday, March 13^th celebrate Scout night with the Charlotte Checkers as they take on the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7pm. Corner Section tickets are $8 and Attack Zone tickets are $15. All Scouts will receive a free drawstring backpack. This is not a scheduled Pack event so scouts are not covered by the pack.

New Pinewood Derby Details

Weigh-Ins - This week is our first official weigh-in! ALL cars must be checked in either this Tuesday or next by Amy! This ALSO includes all cars that will be raced in the Friends and Family race. This is important to complete ahead of time so that I have enough time to get the brackets organized for both races and so that there are no surprises or upset racers being disqualified the morning of the race.

Parents can plan to check cars in for scouts; however, we will call one den at a time out of their den meetings to participate in the weigh in procedures. I will plan to arrive about 6:30pm in case anyone wants to arrive early and try to miss the line.

Photos - I also need to either take photos of all those who are racing in the Friends and Family race or you need to bring me or email me a photo of the participant by next Tuesday. In addition to creating their racing pass - these are also used for keeping track of cars and racers in the brackets.

Lunch - The pack will be providing and cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch. We ask that each of you please sign up and bring something to share for the meal based on the assignment to your den. If everyone who attended Blue & Gold attends the derby - we had about 200 people there. Therefore, please plan to feed between 15-20 people with your donation. Categories are as follows:

Tigers: Desserts
Wolves: Veggies (Baked Beans, Sliced Condiments (Tomatoes, Onions, etc ), Pickles, Raw Veggies, casseroles, etc. )
Bears: Chips
Webelos: Salads (Potato Salad/Pasta Salad/Coleslaw/Leaf Salad, etc)

Race Day Reminders -

We will not collect your car when you have it inspected. You will still be able to take it home with you and make any slight modifications or prepare the wheels the morning of the race.
Official check-in will begin at 10am on Saturday morning and close at 11:15am.
At that time - once your car has passed the final inspection it will be collected and you will not be able to handle the car until your race begins. At that time, you will only be able to place it on the track - no additional modifications, graphite, etc can be applied.
After each race; the car will be returned to the racing table until all races are complete.
The Friends and Family Race will serve as the warm-up race and begin at 11:30am.
Once it is complete, we will break for lunch and hope to begin the Pack Derby at 1pm.
Since we run a double elimination race; just because you lose a race does not mean you are out! Everyone will participate in at least 2 races.
Remember that even though this is a competition - it should be a FUN event. Only 1 out of the 53 scouts will win - encourage them to just do their best and enjoy the day!

Previous Pinewood Derby Details

Race Rules

w Cars are to be constructed from BSA kits and must be a new car each year. They should be created by the scout with minimal to no assistance from others. For the Pack Derby, upon registration, scouts will draw numbers to determine their poll placing on the bracket. Races will then be conducted as dictated by the bracket. Each race will contain 2 cars; best of 3 races continues to the winner’s bracket and the other car will proceed to the losing bracket; until the car has lost twice and is then eliminated from the race. Trophies will be awarded for the cars finishing 1^st-5^th and a Fan Favorite winner will also be selected by the scouts.

Car Rules

w In order for cars to also qualify for district and council racing; we will be following the same rules as set by our council, which can be found here: Pinewood Derby Rules

Registration

w All cars must be pre-registered and complete an Inspection Sheet with Amy to be allowed to race in the derby. This not only ensures the cars meet the rules; but so that we can also prepare the brackets in advance. This must be complete by the Second Weigh-in Meeting.

Weigh-In Meetings

w All cars must be weighed and checked in prior to the derby. The first Weigh-In is March 9th and the second is March 16th. The first weigh in allows you to check the weight of your car and see if any modifications need to be made to stay under the maximum 5oz weight. If you are satisfied with your car at this time – you may also go ahead and complete the Inspection Sheet; or you can wait until the second weigh in date to make additional modifications before completing the Inspection Sheet.

Race Day

w Our Pack 97 Pinewood Derby Race is scheduled for March 20^th and will be held at Christ Community Church. Check-In will be from 10am – 11:15am. All cars must be checked in by 11:15am, including Friends and Family racers and Drag National racers. The Friends and Family Race will start at 11:30am. Following this race will be a potluck lunch. The Scout Derby will begin at 1pm. The Drag Nationals race will be conducted after the trophy presentation for the Scout Derby.

Friends and Family Race

w Any non-scout wishing to enter a car in the Friends and Family Race is encouraged to do so! They must follow all rules the same as the scouts; including pre-inspection and registration by the end of the second Weigh-In Meeting. We have extra cars available for purchase at $4 each - or you can purchase one from the scout store.

Pack 97 Drag Nationals

w Several of the leaders and other fathers have declared the need to hold a third race called the Pack 97 Drag Nationals. There will be no trophies – just bragging rights. This race will take place after the other 2 races have finished and the trophies have been awarded. The only BSA rules that will apply to this race are for the size and weight. Everything else is fair game. You can use whatever non BSA parts and techniques you like to see if you can make the fastest car.

District & Council Derbies

w District Derby: April 24th @ Iron Horse Motorcycle, 1600 W Roosevelt (Hwy 74), Monroe, NC. Winners from our Pack Derby will automatically qualify to enter the Championship Race at the District Derby. Registration takes place for the Championship race between 11am-noon with the race starting at approximately 12:30pm. There is also an open race held in the morning which is open to all Cub Scouts. Open Race check-in is between 8-9am with the race beginning at approximately 9:30am. The five winning cars from the open race will advance to the Championship Race. The entrance fee for either race is $3.

w Council Derby: May 22. The only way to qualify for the Council Derby is by winning the District Derby. It is scheduled for 5/22, place still to be determined. If we have anyone advance from the District Race - we will provide additional details to them.

Continuing to Respecting Our Facility

Please continue to follow these rules for respecting our facility:

· There is to be ABSOLUTELY NO ONE allowed in or on the playground equipment at ALL TIMES.

· The area within the fence is off limits

· Leave No Trace

· Scouts are only to be dismissed from den meetings directly to a parent.

Calendar overview of upcoming events:

3/9 Tuesday Den Meeting / First Derby Car Weigh In

3/13 Saturday Scout Night with the Checkers

3/16 Tuesday Den Meeting / 2^nd Derby Car Weigh In

3/20 Saturday Pinewood Derby

Don’t forget your 24/7 access to Pack 97 info and photos at www.pack97scouts.com If you have any photos you would like added to the site, please send them to me.

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Anthony

See you Tuesday night!

Amy



	*The Weekly Newsletter of Cub Scout Pack 97* March 8 , 2010 Charlotte Checkers Scout Night Just a reminder - this is the last week to register and pay for this event. If payment has not been received by March 9 – tickets will not be ordered for you. Saturday, March 13^th celebrate Scout night with the Charlotte Checkers as they take on the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7pm. Corner Section tickets are $8 and Attack Zone tickets are $15. All Scouts will receive a free drawstring backpack. This is not a scheduled Pack event so scouts are not covered by the pack. New Pinewood Derby Details Weigh-Ins - This week is our first official weigh-in! ALL cars must be checked in either this Tuesday or next by Amy! This ALSO includes all cars that will be raced in the Friends and Family race. This is important to complete ahead of time so that I have enough time to get the brackets organized for both races and so that there are no surprises or upset racers being disqualified the morning of the race. Parents can plan to check cars in for scouts; however, we will call one den at a time out of their den meetings to participate in the weigh in procedures. I will plan to arrive about 6:30pm in case anyone wants to arrive early and try to miss the line. Photos - I also need to either take photos of all those who are racing in the Friends and Family race or you need to bring me or email me a photo of the participant by next Tuesday. In addition to creating their racing pass - these are also used for keeping track of cars and racers in the brackets. Lunch - The pack will be providing and cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch. We ask that each of you please sign up and bring something to share for the meal based on the assignment to your den. If everyone who attended Blue & Gold attends the derby - we had about 200 people there. Therefore, please plan to feed between 15-20 people with your donation. Categories are as follows: Tigers: Desserts Wolves: Veggies (Baked Beans, Sliced Condiments (Tomatoes, Onions, etc ), Pickles, Raw Veggies, casseroles, etc. ) Bears: Chips Webelos: Salads (Potato Salad/Pasta Salad/Coleslaw/Leaf Salad, etc) Race Day Reminders - We will not collect your car when you have it inspected. You will still be able to take it home with you and make any slight modifications or prepare the wheels the morning of the race. Official check-in will begin at 10am on Saturday morning and close at 11:15am. At that time - once your car has passed the final inspection it will be collected and you will not be able to handle the car until your race begins. At that time, you will only be able to place it on the track - no additional modifications, graphite, etc can be applied. After each race; the car will be returned to the racing table until all races are complete. The Friends and Family Race will serve as the warm-up race and begin at 11:30am. Once it is complete, we will break for lunch and hope to begin the Pack Derby at 1pm. Since we run a double elimination race; just because you lose a race does not mean you are out! Everyone will participate in at least 2 races. Remember that even though this is a competition - it should be a FUN event. Only 1 out of the 53 scouts will win - encourage them to just do their best and enjoy the day! Previous Pinewood Derby Details Race Rules w Cars are to be constructed from BSA kits and must be a new car each year. They should be created by the scout with minimal to no assistance from others. For the Pack Derby, upon registration, scouts will draw numbers to determine their poll placing on the bracket. Races will then be conducted as dictated by the bracket. Each race will contain 2 cars; best of 3 races continues to the winner’s bracket and the other car will proceed to the losing bracket; until the car has lost twice and is then eliminated from the race. Trophies will be awarded for the cars finishing 1^st-5^th and a Fan Favorite winner will also be selected by the scouts. Car Rules w In order for cars to also qualify for district and council racing; we will be following the same rules as set by our council, which can be found here: Pinewood Derby Rules Registration w All cars must be pre-registered and complete an Inspection Sheet with Amy to be allowed to race in the derby. This not only ensures the cars meet the rules; but so that we can also prepare the brackets in advance. This must be complete by the Second Weigh-in Meeting. Weigh-In Meetings w All cars must be weighed and checked in prior to the derby. The first Weigh-In is March 9th and the second is March 16th. The first weigh in allows you to check the weight of your car and see if any modifications need to be made to stay under the maximum 5oz weight. If you are satisfied with your car at this time – you may also go ahead and complete the Inspection Sheet; or you can wait until the second weigh in date to make additional modifications before completing the Inspection Sheet. Race Day w Our Pack 97 Pinewood Derby Race is scheduled for March 20^th and will be held at Christ Community Church. Check-In will be from 10am – 11:15am. All cars must be checked in by 11:15am, including Friends and Family racers and Drag National racers. The Friends and Family Race will start at 11:30am. Following this race will be a potluck lunch. The Scout Derby will begin at 1pm. The Drag Nationals race will be conducted after the trophy presentation for the Scout Derby. Friends and Family Race w Any non-scout wishing to enter a car in the Friends and Family Race is encouraged to do so! They must follow all rules the same as the scouts; including pre-inspection and registration by the end of the second Weigh-In Meeting. We have extra cars available for purchase at $4 each - or you can purchase one from the scout store. Pack 97 Drag Nationals w Several of the leaders and other fathers have declared the need to hold a third race called the Pack 97 Drag Nationals. There will be no trophies – just bragging rights. This race will take place after the other 2 races have finished and the trophies have been awarded. The only BSA rules that will apply to this race are for the size and weight. Everything else is fair game. You can use whatever non BSA parts and techniques you like to see if you can make the fastest car. District & Council Derbies w District Derby: April 24th @ Iron Horse Motorcycle, 1600 W Roosevelt (Hwy 74), Monroe, NC. Winners from our Pack Derby will automatically qualify to enter the Championship Race at the District Derby. Registration takes place for the Championship race between 11am-noon with the race starting at approximately 12:30pm. There is also an open race held in the morning which is open to all Cub Scouts. Open Race check-in is between 8-9am with the race beginning at approximately 9:30am. The five winning cars from the open race will advance to the Championship Race. The entrance fee for either race is $3. w Council Derby: May 22. The only way to qualify for the Council Derby is by winning the District Derby. It is scheduled for 5/22, place still to be determined. If we have anyone advance from the District Race - we will provide additional details to them. Continuing to Respecting Our Facility Please continue to follow these rules for respecting our facility: · There is to be ABSOLUTELY NO ONE allowed in or on the playground equipment at ALL TIMES. · The area within the fence is off limits · Leave No Trace · Scouts are only to be dismissed from den meetings directly to a parent. Calendar overview of upcoming events: 3/9 Tuesday Den Meeting / First Derby Car Weigh In 3/13 Saturday Scout Night with the Checkers 3/16 Tuesday Den Meeting / 2^nd Derby Car Weigh In 3/20 Saturday Pinewood Derby Don’t forget your 24/7 access to Pack 97 info and photos at www.pack97scouts.com If you have any photos you would like added to the site, please send them to me. As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Anthony See you Tuesday night! Amy