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Post by TimInOhio on Aug 25, 2012 22:49:02 GMT -6
So our Pack's PWD chair dropped a bombshell on us tonight: he wants to force our Scouts to build their PWD cars during our workshop(s). Only cars built entirely at our workshop(s) would be permitted to race. His intent is to have the Scouts do the work instead of their fathers, etc. Have any of you had any experience running a Scout PWD this way? Thanks. Tim
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Post by psycaz on Aug 26, 2012 8:05:45 GMT -6
Sorry to hear of your problem. I've never liked that idea.
Are you looking for help with how to build under the circumstances or talking points in hopes of getting it changed?
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Post by TimInOhio on Aug 26, 2012 11:10:59 GMT -6
Mostly talking points to push for a reversal.
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Post by Evolution on Aug 26, 2012 11:30:39 GMT -6
So if a child misses a workshop or two he will be at a disadvantage cause the other boys had more time on their cars. What if the schedule of the workshop conflicts with another program the child has, he will not be able to participate in the race.
Is there going to be enough adults at the workshops to keep the child busy working on their cars?
Who will be supervising the children running the power equipment? Will the adults be making the cuts on the cars? If so is the child building the car? If the adults are going to do it there, then why allow the mothers or fathers to spend time with the child at home working on the car?
How is painting going to be handled? Are they all going to paint their cars at the workshop and then have to take a wet painted car home in their parents 20-25K car?
It sounds like some father feels that his child will be at a disadvantage if people are allowed to work on their cars at home. This does not slow the that child down, because they will still use the tips on their build at the workshop. It only really hurts the other children by limiting the amount of time they have to work on their cars.
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Post by psycaz on Aug 26, 2012 11:47:39 GMT -6
First I would make note of the parents whom share your concerns. A united front is always best. I would talk to them quietly. Never let the chair know what's coming. They may just shut you down before you can start.
First and foremost, why are they doing this? Is it just a few of the parents who don't want to be bothered with having to work with their boy?
Remember, the whole exercise is for an adult to spend time with and help the boys build their cars. They aren't supposed to do them by themselves either. Take quotes from Don Murphy on the beginnings of PWD.
Next gather facts that support your position. How well are your current workshops attended? What do you do for families that aren't able to make it to them? How many workshops are going to be held since all construction must take place there? Who is going to supply all the tools to facilitate the building? Will there be enough to allow all who need to use them access? Are they going to mandate who can use what tools?
Do you have anything else that the winners are allowed to participate in, district race? Council race? Do the rules allow the boys to build separate cars for those or do they have to run what they build for the pack. HUGE disadvantage if can't build new. Why punish your boys unnecessarily.
I'll type more later as I'm working yet again on our full size cars lol. Seems to be never ending lately.
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Post by ninjarabbi1997 on Sept 1, 2012 15:27:57 GMT -6
That is like saying a child can only practice basketball at the school and not at home, because the parents might help and that would be unfair. The original intent of the PWD was for adult and child to spend time together. Maybe sharing that would help?
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Post by DC Gravity on Sept 1, 2012 19:40:48 GMT -6
This arrangement totally flies in the face of Cubmaster and pinewood derby founder Don Murphy's original intent when he stated "I ... wanted to devise a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition."
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Post by cygnus on Sept 1, 2012 20:39:04 GMT -6
Your committee chair sounds like a major control freak. Have you considered sitting out this year or joining a different Pack? The boys are 5-11 years old for goodness sake!
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Post by Evolution on Sept 2, 2012 21:22:48 GMT -6
There are so many people here that are much better spoken then myself. Those that posted after I did seemed to respresent my thoughts better then I did.
The spirit of the race is about parents spending time with their child teaching them skills that will help them later in life.
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Post by topspind on Sept 10, 2012 15:39:10 GMT -6
Wow... If our pack did that I would still build a car with my son at home to make sure that he knew all the tips/tricks and then would send him to the workshops with a set of instructions to follow......
Seems silly to punish the families that want to work together on this. In our pack several of us have consistently offered to help scouts who's families don't have time/resources to make the car they want. Any child we help gets the same full information we teach our children.
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Post by X-Ring Racing on Sept 12, 2012 18:30:02 GMT -6
Wow... If our pack did that I would still build a car with my son at home to make sure that he knew all the tips/tricks and then would send him to the workshops with a set of instructions to follow...... That's exactly what I would do .
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Post by TimInOhio on Jan 7, 2013 22:14:44 GMT -6
Thank you all for the replies. Luckily, this topic was never mentioned again, and we are racing under the same rules as last year.
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