Fourteen Polson and Ronan Cub Scouts brought their creativity and innovation to a block of wood and wheels, creating speedy and colorful cars to race down the track.  

Cub Scout packs competed in their annual Pinewood Derby at the Ronan Middle School on March 15. Trophies were given out to first-place winner Brody Haines, Park Goetsch in second and Seeley Pidel in third place. Sam Miller won the fan-favorite trophy and Lucy Berens claimed the racer favorite for her car designs.  

Amy Miller, master of the Ronan pack, explained that the ongoing tradition of the Pinewood Derby becomes a family project to help the Cub put their vision together. But it’s also an event where Cubbies learn sportsmanship and values, such as being courteous, helpful and kind. 

Cubbies are given a Pinewood Derby kit, which is basically just a block of wood, some nails and wheels, and from there they strive to craft the fastest car.  

“They have to come up with a concept. They have to do all the work on it and some troubleshooting on it,” Miller said. “There's a lot of rules that they have to follow and learn.”  

Miller noted that electively competing in the derby helps them earn their achievement badge, which requires two elective achievements and six required achievements.  

Miller said Cub Scouts is a great way for kids to learn leadership and citizenship skills, and they are currently trying to re-create an 11-year-old and older scouting troop in Ronan. This will be one of the few co-ed scouting troops in the nation.  

The Ronan Cub Pack currently meets at Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan and the Polson Cub Pack meets at Cherry Valley Elementary School.  

Miller said anyone interested in the co-ed troop or Cub Scouts should reach out to Grace Friend, the district executive for the Mullan Trail District at [email protected].

    Cub Scouts' cars race down the track in speedy style. The Cubs put their innovation and creativity into a block of wood and wheels to create stylish and fast cars. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 Four cars at a time are dropped down the track to determine the fastest cars. The Cub Masters rotated the cars onto different tracks to make sure all contestants' scores were calculated fairly. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 The Snail Earnhardt car was created by Sam Miller, a Ronan Cub Scout. Miller won the fan favorite car for the third year in a row, taking home the trophy. (Emily Messer/Leader)