Race Time

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Race Time is your chance to build and race with your adult partner. You'll put together a Pinewood Derby car or Raingutter Regatta boat, learn the rules, and race with good sportsmanship. Building it together is the best part.

Why it's worth it

Race day is one of the most exciting nights in Cub Scouts. In Race Time you and your grown-up build a Pinewood Derby car or a Raingutter Regatta boat together, learn the rules, and race with your pack. You'll pick the colors, help decorate, and cheer on every racer. Win or lose, you'll be proud that you built it as a team.

Start this week

Ask your den leader whether your pack is holding a Pinewood Derby or a Raingutter Regatta, and when.
Get your pack's race rules and read them with your adult.
Draw a few designs for your car or boat with crayons and pick your favorite colors.

Stay safe

Adults handle saws, drills, hot glue, and paint fumes. Lions decorate, design, and test.

Requirements · 4

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

Requirement 1
With your adult partner, put together and decorate a car for the Pinewood Derby or a boat for the Raingutter Regatta
Tip: Plan your design together. Let your Lion choose colors and stickers while the adult handles any tools.
For example: Your adult does any sawing, drilling, or sanding. You choose a shape, paint stripes, add stickers, and help push in the wheels or attach the sail. Give your racer a name.
Requirement 2
Learn the race rules for the car or boat you picked in requirement 1
Tip: Read your pack's race rules with your adult so your car or boat is ready.
For example: Read the rules together: how heavy the car can be, how long it can be, or how boats are blown down the gutter. Then check that your racer follows each one.
Requirement 3
Before the race, talk with your adult partner about how you will show good sportsmanship
Tip: Talk about cheering for others and saying good game, whether you win or not.
For example: Plan what you'll say: "Good race" to the person next to you, clap for every car, and give a high five whether you win or come in last.
Requirement 4
Race in a Pinewood Derby or Raingutter Regatta with your adult partner
Tip: Race with your partner and have fun, then congratulate other racers.
For example: On race day, check in your racer, watch it zoom down the track or float down the gutter, cheer for your friends, and thank the volunteers who ran the race.

Talk about it together

What part of building your racer did you do yourself?
How did you feel right before your race started?
How did you show good sportsmanship on race day?
What would you change about your car or boat next year?

Helpful reads

Cub Scouts: a guide for families, How Cub Scout ranks and adventures work from kindergarten through fifth grade, what an adult partner does, and how to keep it fun at meetings and at home., Families · Leaders · 4 min read

For leaders & parents

Host a build night where families share tools and help under adult supervision.
Give every racer some recognition so the day is about fun and sportsmanship.

People & places that can help

Your pack's race committee — Has the race rules and event details.
Local hardware store — Can help with simple building supplies.
Scouting America (opens in a new tab) — Official adventure requirements and program updates.
Race Time (Lion) adventure page (opens in a new tab) — Den activities for building, rules, and sportsmanship.
Pinewood Derby (Scouting America) (opens in a new tab) — The history of the Pinewood Derby and tips for families.

Lion, Rank · 7 requirements

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