On Jan. 8, families across Granby, East Granby and Hartland eagerly tuned into Facebook Live for a much-anticipated event: the Salmon Brook Service Unit Girl Scout Pinewood Derby. This was the second year that, due to Covid concerns, the race was live-streamed, but the third year that the Girl Scouts have held their own Girl Powered Pinewood Derby.
This year, 63 cars were entered into the race, including 58 Girl Scouts and five siblings. Each car was beautifully photographed and displayed on an online voting platform prior to the event, and families were encouraged to log in before the start of the race to vote for their favorite cars. Design categories included most complicated wood carving, most Girl Scout pride, best wedge and most bling, to name just a few. The design award winners were announced during the race.
At 10 a.m. the race began! There were multiple heats spread over two hours. Medals were presented to the first, second and third place finishers in each Girl Scout level: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes, and the top three overall finishers received trophies.
The event was beautifully broadcast by Christian Robinson of Robinson Imagery, who also provided video, streaming, technology and timing support.
The races were announced by Pack 70 Cub Master and Girl Scout dad Jonathon Matlach, who kept everyone engaged with his amazing emcee skills and epic Dad jokes.
The equipment used for the race was generously lent to the Girl Scouts by the East Granby Pack 70 Cub Scouts.
This event could not have happened without the amazing organizational skills of Salmon Brook Service Unit volunteers Becky Hayes and Amanda Thompson. These women put months of planning and organizing into this event, which was inclusive of not just Girl Scouts but their siblings who were invited to participate. They truly made this event a cherished family memory to all those who participated.
While volunteers are essential to the success of events like this, we cannot forget that the funds raised during Girl Scout Cookie sales allow the girls endless opportunities and support troop activities throughout the year. The Girl Scouts of Granby are also supported financially by periodic grants from the Granby Community Fund. Please remember the delicious cookies you enjoy help support these girls, and cookie season is in full swing now!