The Trophy

Friday night Cameron competed in his 4th Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts.  This is an event that, before I had boys, never even knew existed.  Color me clueless.  The first year Cameron did fairly well but the last two he's been somewhat disappointed.  Like a lot of things in our modern lives, competition seems to win out over participating in the experience.  But such is life, so we put our best car forward.  It's fun when our family can collaborate on a project like this.  

This year we came up with the idea of a snow hill since Cameron enjoys skiing.  We talked about how we would build the car, the materials we would use and got to work.  Cameron and Jim did most of the work with Brandon and I contributing with creative content and moral support.  After the car was cut, sanded, painted, and the weights inserted just right, we topped it off with the final touches.  Finding small skiers to fit on a 5 oz car without going overweight was a good challenge.  We ended up using small Christmas ornaments that were originally angels.  We clipped off their wings, ripped the string of their head and even cut one head off (sorry little guy, but Cameron wanted on skier with his head in the snow - perhaps to represent his mom on the ski slope).  Cameron named the car Downhill Racer.  A week before the race we checked in the car and were pleased with the perfect 5 oz weigh in.  

On race night we headed to the school and I felt obligated to remind Cameron that he had a really cool car and that more people will not win a trophy than will and to just enjoy the night.  I have to admit I was a bit nervous when his car was up.  Not that I needed him to win but wanted him to do well and feel good about his entry and, quite honestly, himself.  Each car races three times and they average the times to determine the places.  In his heat he placed either 1st or 2nd each time.  As the other heats went on I kept thinking that would surely earn him a place of some sort.  At the end of the heats they announced the winners and listed each name on the screen.  Cameron's name appeared for 2nd place in his age group and also won for Most Creative.  He was very proud and will collect his trophy at the next scout meeting.  He proudly displayed his car in the commemorative box he received for placing 2nd.  It now sits on his bookshelf in his room.  It was a fun night and it's always great to see all of the creativity that goes into these cars.  This year there was a shark and a replica of The Titanic.  No two cars are the same although they all start from the same size and shape block of wood.  

And while it would have been fine if he hadn't placed, the truth is everyone feels good getting the trophy now and then.  I don't believe that kids need to get a trophy every single time and the "everyone is a winner" concept makes me crazy.  The truth is, you won't always get the trophy which is ok.  This will continue in life and honestly, makes for a more well rounded individual.  We want to instill a strong work ethic and a reasonable view of the world in our kids.  It is important that they feel good about the projects and work they complete, but it's also ok when someone else wins.  It's a hard lesson when you're 9.  Heck some people have a hard time with it at 40.  A continued work in progress for all of us. 

Team Matejka