'GREAT SCOUT EVENT' TAKES OFF

Joe Layton was confident heading into the annual pinewood derby race Saturday morning.

After all, his car, fashioned from a block of wood, had turned in the best time for the Layton's whole troop back in Marble Hill.

The secret is in the design, the third-grader explained, as heat after heat took place Saturday at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau.

More than 100 Scouts participated in the "Great Scout Event," which included the pinewood derby, a rain gutter regatta and space derby races. The event was sponsored by the Shawnee District of the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. In all, more than 300 people participated.

Layton's car included the required four wheels, but only three touched the track. "That way it goes faster," he confided. The other secret to speed was graphite added to the wheels.

A crowd gathered around the pinewood derby track, provided by Cub Scout Pack 20. They watched the computer lineup and electronic-controlled finish times.

But Scouts and their parents had lots of other choices of activities, including several craft projects.

"There's not much (of a) way you can get bored," Layton said.

For example, Scouts hammered, pounded, bent and threaded together a wind chime following instructions from Pack 24 from Marble Hill.

Across the arena, Kenny Beussink and two special guests were explaining opportunities for international Scouting.

With him were two Japanese Boy Scouts, Isao Mori and Yusuke Hiramatsu. Both are students at Southeast Missouri State University.

The Scout event Saturday seemed familiar to the Scouts from Japan, who said the program they participated in was very similar.

During summer vacations, Scouts go camping and hiking. And like their American counterparts, they participate in volunteer projects.

"In winter we go on overnight hikes and go skiing," Hiramatsu said.

They learn about rescues and rope work, but Japan hasn't developed the art of pinewood derby.

On Saturday, the Japanese Scouts walked through the exhibits and visited with Scouts.

"I liked the Indian parades," Mori said.

Indeed the cultural exchange went both ways Saturday, Beussink said.

"Kids get a flavor of what Scouting is like in another country, and vice versa for the Scouts from Japan," said Beussink.

In addition, local Scouts may be encouraged to participate in International projects Scouting offers.

For example, an international Jamboree is held each year. Older Scouts may participate. And Boy Scouts, like some service clubs, offers a student exchange program.

Layton ended up doing well in two events. He finished second in the space derby and third in the pinewood derby.

The results of the three races were as follows:

Rain gutter regatta

First -- Adam Hunt, Pack 250, Perryville

Second -- Alex Hunt, Pack 250, Perryville

Third -- Josh Kiefer, Pack 250, Perryville

Space derby

First -- Drew Wibbenmeyer, Pack 16, Cape Girardeau

Second -- Joe Layton, Pack 24, Marble Hill

Third -- Michael Layton, Pack 24, Marble Hill

Pinewood derby

First -- Michael Layton

Second -- Justin Thorn, Pack 51, Chaffee

Third -- Joe Layton