Rain-gutter Regatta Chair
The Rain-gutter Regatta is one of the signature Cub Scout Activities. Generations of Scout's have participated in these mini-sailboat races using nothing but the air in their lungs. The chair for this event organizes and prepares for the event, typically held during the October pack meeting. The pack provides a kit to each scout that wants to participate.
In the past:
Each den races at the same time and then the pack runs a final best in the pack race between the winners from each den. We’ve done den races head to head and time trial. Pack race has been both double-elimination and single elimination racing. We’ve done this in both October and November. With the limited time required to assemble and decorate, this can work very well as an October meeting.
In the future:
Seems that time trials at the den level, across 4 races might be best, and then a double-elimination bracket for the 6 winners with seed position based on the fastest times.
Roles for this event
Example Agenda
To plan out this event
To prevent lots of last minute activity we would like to offer up the following guidelines. Most of these are agenda items for the monthly committee meetings. The Overall organizer should plan on attending the two committee meetings leading up to the pinewood derby as well as the May planning meeting.
Communications to the pack:
August Summer Event– Announce the date
September Pack Meeting – Announce the date, introduce the rules, and hand out kits. Maybe a skit of some sort?
2 days after pack meeting – send rules.
4 days before send a scoutbook message with any last minute guidance.
Set reminders in scoutbook to send 3 days and 3 hours before.
In the past:
Each den races at the same time and then the pack runs a final best in the pack race between the winners from each den. We’ve done den races head to head and time trial. Pack race has been both double-elimination and single elimination racing. We’ve done this in both October and November. With the limited time required to assemble and decorate, this can work very well as an October meeting.
In the future:
Seems that time trials at the den level, across 4 races might be best, and then a double-elimination bracket for the 6 winners with seed position based on the fastest times.
Roles for this event
- Overall organizer – responsible for making sure all aspects are being handled.
- Rain gutter hauler (somebody with a truck that can move our rain gutters to the park)
- MC (Cubmaster or delegate)
- Pack race organizer (get the info from the dens as they complete their races to build out the bracket for the pack race)
Example Agenda
- Rain Gutter Regatta
- 12:30 setup
- 2:00 Pack Meeting starts, initial announcements, etc
- 2:15 PM Races start
- 3:00 PM Pack races start
- 3:15 PM Pack awards handed out
To plan out this event
To prevent lots of last minute activity we would like to offer up the following guidelines. Most of these are agenda items for the monthly committee meetings. The Overall organizer should plan on attending the two committee meetings leading up to the pinewood derby as well as the May planning meeting.
- Annual Planning meeting (held in May the spring before) – Identify the main organizer for this and set the date. Set a location and tentative budget. Main organizer granted access to the event folder in our Google Drive fodler.
- August Committee Meeting – Tentative rules defined and all volunteer positions decided. Calendar completed. Shopping list for kits, awards, and certificates created.
- September Pack Meeting – distribute kits (deliver kits to den leaders for follow up distribution) and ask for volunteers for setup and tear-down.
- September Committee Meeting– Any final issues.
- Awards and certificates purchased with pack awards.
- Committee Meeting after – lessons learned and changes for next year.
- May Committee Meeting – Annual Planning meeting where we start it all over again for next year.
Communications to the pack:
August Summer Event– Announce the date
September Pack Meeting – Announce the date, introduce the rules, and hand out kits. Maybe a skit of some sort?
2 days after pack meeting – send rules.
4 days before send a scoutbook message with any last minute guidance.
Set reminders in scoutbook to send 3 days and 3 hours before.
Training
YPT - Required
BSA Membership: Not Required
Additional Training: Not Required
BSA Membership: Not Required
Additional Training: Not Required