Nearly two dozen Cub Scouts put on their racing gear for the annual Soap Box Derby in Illinois.
On Sunday, September 1, 2013, the 3rd Annual Soap Box Derby Race was held in Orion. There were 23 Cub Scouts from Orion, Galesburg and Annawan who came to compete with soap box cars they built. The racers ranged from Tiger Scouts to Webelos Scouts, grades 1 through 5.
According to Cub Master for Orion Pack 123 Cub Scouts, Chris Langley, the racers design and construct their own cars with help from their parents or guardians. Langley said the scouts practice skills like engineering and woodworking when they make their own cars.
To ensure safety, EMS was on site, and the participants are required to wear helmets. The soap box cars must also pass a brake inspection and have seatbelts inside, according to Langley.
Along with a day of fun and the satisfaction of constructing their own racing machine, the winner received a trophy.