Ashland Cub Scout Pack 3001 has started the year off with a bang, hosting two of their bigger events, the Pinewood Derby and the Blue and Gold Ceremony in the first few months of the year.

The Pinewood Derby, held on Jan. 21, is an event where the scouts design, build and race their own cars. The cars are raced down a steel track four times to determine who is the fastest.  

Some scouts love fast cars but some also like to mix speed with style. This year’s designs ranged from a Battering Ram to Mario Kart look-alikes.  

The fun event is broken down into groups, younger scouts, older scouts and an open division (family and friends of the pack). 

79 cars raced in total with the following winners. Younger Scouts: Lions (Kindergarten): 1st – Tristian Rubertone, 2nd: Theodore Mahoney; 3rd: Benjamin Tempesta; Tiger Scouts (1st Grade): 1st – Jack Jutstrom, 2nd - Max MacDonald, 3rd – Edward Kriete. Older Scouts (2nd to 5th Grades): 1st – Mason Roscoe, 2nd - Giovanni Silverio, 3rd – Ryan Lavidor; Open Division: 1st – Carter Justrom, 2nd – Jason McDonald, 3rd – Kevin Otipoby.  The best in show awards (voted on by the scouts) went to:  Jeffrey Stillitano “Skittles”, Andrew Nye “The Battering Ram”, Sebastian Coolberth “Mario & Co.”, Andrew Suarez “Yoshi’s Ride” and Lorelai Collette “Pizza Time”.

The Blue and Gold Ceremony, held on Feb. 11, is an event in which the Packs recognizes the oldest scouts for their years of hard work in Cub Scouting with the Arrow of Light, the highest award given.  Once they are presented with the award, they are then ceremoniously welcomed to join Ashland Boy Scouts Troop 232 by crossing over a bridge, thus officially becoming Boy Scouts.  

The eight scouts earning the Arrow of Light and crossing over were:  Ethan Bienkowski, Jacob Bienkowski, Amit Mechtinger, John Nye, Henry Otipoby, Marlos Rocha, Giovanni Silverio, Ben Stysiack.  Den leaders, Joe and Lynnel Bienkowski and Kerrie Otipoby were also recognized for their leadership in helping the scouts obtain this rank. 

If you would like to receive information on the Cub Scout program, please reach out to [email protected].