Tiger Cubs Joshua Krichbaum, 6, left, and Nathan Holder, 7, are thrilled as they watch the Pinewood Derby event during Saturday’s Boy Scouts’ centennial celebration.
(Mark Levy • Herald/Review)
Posted on 02/07/2010 10:21:05 AM PST by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — As part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouting in America, local Scouts showed off a variety of hands-on projects and enjoyed some outdoor games during expo in Veterans’ Memorial Park on Saturday.
Scouts often do activities in secluded areas, so the expo gave them a chance to share some of what they do, said James Harper, district program chairman for Boy Scouts. Saturday’s activities included the assembly of two monkey bridges, the assembly of a catapult, miniature boat racing and the Pinewood Derby.
Five age groups of Cub Scouts competed in the Pinewood Derby, and medals were awarded to the top three from each group.
Andrew Richardson won first place in the tiger category, which is for kids ages 6 to 7, and comes from a Scouting family, he said. His brothers helped him make his car but he is the first one to place first in the derby.
Though he was excited to be the first one to win, he said he was not going to brag to his brothers about it.
Kaulin Goulding, 9, competed in the bear den group with his red car, designed to look like an iPod.
“It was really challenging, and it helps me work really hard and helps me pass my bear,” he said. He learned that it does not matter if you win or lose; all that matters is that you just have fun. “I want to be a champion race car driver when I’m an adult,” he said.
His grandfather, Dan Goulding, was a Scout and helped construct Kaulin’s father’s Pinewood Derby car many years ago, he said. The family has been in Scouting for years.
Being in the Scouts is about building character and teaches kids how to become independent, Dan Goulding said.
Cameron Curtis, 8, who finished second in the wolf category, also enjoyed working on his car with his dad, Ron.
“It’s great because it teaches them some responsibility and to take pride in what they’re doing,” said Jill Curtis, Cameron’s mom. The younger kids love all the silly stuff like the squirrel song.
One of the cars was made in the likeness of a squirrel, complete with a bushy tail, and several scoutmasters sang, “Squirrelly, squirrelly, shake your bushy tail.”
The Boy Scouts are not just about having fun; it’s fun with a purpose, said C.P. Watkins, an assistant scoutmaster of Troop 431. “If we called it the citizenship training, character building for boys they would never want to join, so we have to sneak all that stuff in.”
Young Scouts are taught the value of being trustworthy, loyal and kind, Watkins said. They learn to take care of people by doing many activities in the community including feeding the homeless.
Last month, the Scouts focused on the topic of pioneering and learned how to tie a variety of knots to create model bridges, Watkins said. Recently, his troop went out and built a life-size rope bridge over a creek and reassembled it for the expo.
“Some of them got wet, some of the stuff got wet but they got it up and got it going,” Watkins said.
Jaesun Sharp, 13, enjoys the activities with other Scouts, he said. “It’s pretty cool, pretty fun, you meet new people and get to know each other a lot better.”
Cody Jenkins, 11, helped put together a catapult and enjoyed trying to hit sand castles with it on Saturday, he said. He learned hard work can actually be fun because the outcome is worth it.
On Feb. 20, the Scouts will host a banquet at Sierra Vista Methodist Church, inviting local leaders and the public. Tickets are $20 at Safeway in Sierra Vista.
Winners of the Pinewood Derby, by rank and Cub Scout Pack:
Tigers
1 tie. Andrew Richardson, na
1 tie Timothy McKinnley 408
3. Jayden Rodriquez. 455
Wolves
1 tie. Jared Haws, 435
1 tie. Luke Hammett, 401
3. Ryan Partain, 401
Bears
1. Corbin Martinez, 436
2 tie. Riley Schulte, 408
2 tie. Jordan Bodily, 419
Webelos 2
1 tie. Jason Fletcher, 425
1 tie. Michael Peterson, 408
2. Aidan Wagner, 435
Webelos 2
1. Arnoldo Borquez, NA
2. Jeff Johnson, 439
3. Tim Enright, 445
Taken on the wall in the Norman Rockwell Gallery at the BSA National Museum
Congratulation to the Scouts.
Very happy years for my three sons.
Go Scouts.
My son is taking the last step to earn his Star rank tonight.
Really cool getting an upper rank on the 100th Anniversary.
Conggratulations, now to start woring on his Eagle.
lol A game with a purpose.
Citizenship training.
It has been a joy to lead the boy from Bear Cub Scouts through Arrow of Light on to their Trail to First Class.
I think I have more fun than they do!
We get to delay that one a bit. Gotta move the family 500 miles soon due to a new job. I’m already gone but I’ve gotten involved helping at a troop near our new locale.
The Scouting way; Disguise learning as Fun and before the boy realize it they have Learned and made Values a part of their life.
Make sure that his old unit transfers all of his records of achivements. Sort of like the military having to take their personnel records (201 Folder) with them to their new assignment.
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