Best Mother-Son Finish

A good-natured car race heralds the coming of spring.

• Best of America

For 1.5 million Cub Scouts each year, the Pinewood Derby is a celebrated rite of spring, and has been for over five decades. With some elbow grease, imagination and parental assist (from moms or dads), a boy can turn a seven-inch block of wood into a mighty race car. On race day, as cars compete in heats, judges select the fastest model and most creative design. "It's not about winning, but about spending time together," says Susan Agin of Manahawkin, New Jersey. Her seven-year-old, Thomas, had his car voted a peer favorite this year.

From Reader's Digest - May 2006