Pinewood Derby planned Jan. 28

By Kathy Thomson

Around a dozen local Cub Scouts are expected to compete in the annual Albany Pinewood Derby on Monday, Jan. 28, and the race will feature a couple of firsts for the local Scouts.

Most notably, this will be the first time the Pinewood Derby will take place in the new Scout Hut.

The local Cub Scouts have held the annual event at the Albany Youth Center for the last several years after the previous Scout Hut was closed due to structural problems.

Also different this year, two girls will be among the 11 or 12 Cub Scouts competing in the match races. The program has included girls since 2018.

Cub Scouts are expected to craft homemade race cars and pair them against each other on a 36-foot aluminum track. Gravity is used to power the wooden vehicles down the track and across the electronic finish line.

The races are scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m., according to Cubmaster Jacey Shack. 

The local Cub Scout Pack will use the same racetrack they have used for the last few years, with cars paired against each other, and the winner of the race advancing. 

Each Scout can enter only one car in the local competition. However, the Cub Scouts can also take a car to the council race in Abilene if they choose to.