Pinewood Derby teaches Scouts sportsmanship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Hess
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (USAFENS) --  Two dozen middle school-age boys flew about in excitement as the 5-ounce cars tore down the 30-foot aluminum track to the finish line.

The boys were nearly matched in numbers by spectators, volunteers and Cub Scout leaders at the annual pinewood derby Jan. 29 at the Feltwell Elementary School cafeteria.

As the excitement grew, so did the noise until a scout leader needed to talk. Two fingers placed firmly in a closed “V” sign would shoot into the air after a minute of fruitless talking at the boys. That was the signal for every boy to pay attention.

“What’s the most important thing here today?” yelled Tech. Sgt. Patrick Rodgers, Bears Cub Scout den leader who is assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron.

“Sportsmanship,” cried the room of neckerchief-clad boys.

“What’s the most important thing?” the leader said louder.

“Sportsmanship.”

The scout who ended up with the trophy was Jarod Rose, 10, with his blue car, handcrafted from a 5-inch-by-2-and-a-half-inch block of pine.

“I can’t believe I won,” said Jarod repeatedly, as he bounced around his mother, with trophy in hand.

The excitement wore down. He ran off to tell his friends and returned minutes later, eyes lowered. He looked up at his mother and asked if it was good for him to have pride for his achievement. His mother, Ruth Rose, Boy Scout committee member, explained to him the difference between good pride and bad pride.

“Sportsmanship helps the boys not to be solely competitive. Their den mates boost them up,” said Tech. Sgt. Carlos Martinez, Cub Scout leader-in-training who is assigned to the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. “It sets them up for life. You need to have values; after all, you’re not always going to win.”

Volunteers like Sergeant Martinez are service members and spouses from the East Anglia military community.

“Scouting is a fun activity, but it only works with the help of volunteers,” said Mrs. Rose.

Most volunteers seem to have the same desire – to teach boys values, such as sportsmanship, which they can carry with them into adulthood.

“My son and I love it,” said Sergeant Rodgers. “It’s a great program, where boys can benefit from not only building up parent-son relationships, but also character.”

The service members and spouses come out to teach the boys once a week, more when preparing for events such as the Pinewood Derby.

The word of the day for the boy scouts at the race was sportsmanship. If they were at school, then a definition would be scrawled across a blackboard in white or yellow chalk. Instead, the volunteers and Cub Scout leaders tried to embed the meaning of the word into each boy’s mind through teaching and by example.