Re: Pinewood Derby Winning
Jim Butler (ajb@ZEPPO.GEOSURV.GOV.NF.CA)
Thu, 30 Jun 1994 12:56:15 NDT
>
>Something has been on my mind for a while. My oldest son, two years
>ago, won our Pinewood Derby. Because we had a few boys who just couldn't
>bear to lose, there were no trophies given. Everyone got a little plaque
>for participating. It was felt to be better for the group to not have
>any winners. Even though they didn't announce any winner, two different
>boys ran from the room crying because they didn't win.
I have been involved with our equivalent to your Pinewood Derby, we
call them Kub Kar Rallies, for a number of years. We usually have a
schedule of events that begins in late January with rallies within
each Pack as a practise for the big Regional Rally during the last
Saturday of Scout-Guide Week in late February. After the practise rallies
there is a District Kub Kar Rally where the sole objective is to qualify
for the Regional Rally. There are five Districts in the Region and a
certain percentage of the Cubs quilify for the Regional rally based on the
population of the District. There are not usually any prizes given at the
District Rally. The Regional Rally is usually held at one of the local
shopping malls on a Saturday morning. Each Cub races at least four times
against different opponents and accululates points. Nine points qualifies
them for the elimination race in the afternoon. There are prizes awarded
for the top three finishers.
I am sure there are disappointed Cubs at these rallies, but I have seem
no display of displeasure, in fact usually the Cubs in the eliminations
have their entire Pack behind them shouting and cheering their car on
during the final races.
>
>My son, who has lost before, took it pretty well. We went and bought him
>the trophy ourselves. The two boys who fell apart are not related.
>
>How do the rest of you feel about contests where there is a winner?
How far do you carry the non-competitivness of contests? Life is real and
certainly competitive. The sports teams that the youth of the same age
are involved in are certainly competitive. I remember that most of the
problems we have had with Kub Kar Rallies are from the parents who
accompany the Cubs to the races and not from the Cubs. They seemed to be
more determined to win than the youth. But that is another topic!
I see nothing wrong with a little competition, as long as the Cubs
enjoyment of the races and activities associated with it is stressed
and that winning the race is not the important thing!
Jim Butler - ARC Training, Northeast Avalon Region (Scouts Canada)
NF Dept. Mines & Energy, 95 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John's, NF, A1B 4J6
voice: (709) 729-2172 fax: (709) 729-3493
home: 32A Ashford Drive, Mount Pearl, NF A1N 2Z4 (709) 368-8732
e-mail: ajb@zeppo.geosurv.gov.nf.ca
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