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Race Time

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Race Time lets you build and race a Pinewood Derby car or Raingutter Regatta boat. You'll design and build with an adult, test ideas to go faster, and race with your pack. Cheering each other on is part of the fun.

Why it's worth it

Race Time is your chance to be a designer, builder, and tester all at once. With an adult, you'll build a Pinewood Derby car or Raingutter Regatta boat, learn the rules, and test ideas to make it faster. On race day you'll cheer for every racer. As a Bear, you can take on more of the work yourself and test your ideas like a scientist.

Start this week

  1. Ask your den leader for the race date and a copy of the rules.
  2. If you raced before, look at your old car or boat and list what you'd change.
  3. Sketch two designs and pick your favorite.
  4. Ask whether the pack has a build night with tools and helpers.

Plan ahead: Find your pack's race date first. Building, testing, painting, and drying usually take a few weekends, so start requirement 1 early instead of the week of the race.

Stay safe

  • Let an adult do the sawing and drilling. Wear safety glasses when you sand, and paint outside or with a window open.

Requirements · 5

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

  1. Requirement 1

    With an adult, build a car for the Pinewood Derby or a boat for the Raingutter Regatta

    Tip: Sketch your design. Let an adult handle cutting while you sand, paint, and decorate.

    For example: This year you might do more yourself: trace the shape, sand every side, paint, and add details. An adult still handles the saw and the drill.

  2. Requirement 2

    Learn the race rules for the vehicle you chose in requirement 1

    Tip: Read the rules together so your car or boat fits the limits.

    For example: Read the rules with your adult and make a checklist: size, weight, and which wheels or sails are allowed. Weigh your car or boat on a kitchen scale before check-in.

  3. Requirement 3

    Identify ways you could make your chosen vehicle faster

    Tip: Try ideas like smoothing wheels or shaping your sail, and test them.

    For example: Test one change at a time. Roll your car down a board propped on books before and after smoothing the axles, or blow on your boat in the bathtub with two different sails.

  4. Requirement 4

    Before the race, talk with your den about how you will show good sportsmanship during it

    Tip: Plan with your den how to cheer for others and shake hands after each race.

    For example: Your den might plan to shake hands after every heat, cheer for every car by name, and offer to help someone whose wheel pops off.

  5. Requirement 5

    Race your car or boat in a Pinewood Derby or Raingutter Regatta

    Tip: Race on race day and have fun. Cheer for your friends too.

Talk about it together

  • Which idea to go faster did you test, and what happened?
  • What part of building did you do by yourself this year?
  • How did you show good sportsmanship on race day?
  • What would you try next time?

Good questions to ask a pack race volunteer

  • What do the fastest cars or boats have in common?
  • What's the most common problem at check-in?
  • What's your favorite race-day memory?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • Host a build night with tools and adult helpers.
  • Share race rules early so everyone builds to the same limits.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Counts toward

More Bear adventures

Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.