Iron Horse District Pushmobile

April 6, 2024 

Fallbrook Church
12512 Walters Rd.
Houston, TX 77014

pushmobileA pushmobile is a Cub Scout-powered go-cart. Cub Scout dens make their own pushmobile. Cub Scouts work together as a team to push their pushmobile through the course to the finish line at this annual district event. 

Registration

Teams are formed by grade, often organized by dens. Teams need to be a minimum of four Cub Scouts. The ideal team size is eight Cub Scouts. Teams with less than eight Cub Scouts may add Cub Scouts from other teams (as long as they are in the same or lower grade/rank). 

The registration fee is $6 per Scout. There is no onsite registration.

Registration is typically completed by the den leader or unit leader and is done online with credit card or electronic check. Council refund policy.

Register

Rain Date

If the event has to be rescheduled due to bad weather, the rain date will be TBD. The information will be posted on the website and the official Iron Horse District Facebook page at www.facebook.com/IronHorseDistrict.

Typical Schedule*

6:00 am   Event setup (staff only)
7:00 am  Unit setup (packs)
7:15 am  Pushmobile inspection begins
8:45 am Opening ceremony (one Cub Scout in field uniform per pack should hold the pack flag)
9:00 am Lions and Tigers race* 
10:30 am Wolves race*
12:00 am Pack race (team consists of two Tigers, two Wolves, two Bears, two Webelos Scouts) – No borrowing from another rank or pack. 
12:30 pm Bears race*
1:30 pm Fourth-grade Webelos Scouts race*
2:15 pm   Fifth-grade Webelos Scouts race*
3:30 pm Leader race: adult and leaders in the pack compete for bragging rights

*Times are approximate. Start times are flexible to ensure that all Cub Scouts have a great time. If one rank race finishes early, the next rank will race until there is a no-show. Teams should be ready to race ahead of the scheduled time.

What to Bring

  • pushmobile​Cub Scouts are encouraged to wear their field (Cub Scout) uniform or activity (any Cub Scout t-shirt) uniform
  • Closed-toed shoes appropriate for running
  • Hat
  • Pants (no shorts) and appropriate clothing for any weather (e.g., rain gear, jacket)
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Pushmobile (one per den/team)
  • Pack flag for the opening ceremony
  • BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A & B for any Scouting event) for every person attending
  • Optional: money for concessions, 5-gallon bucket for Cub Scouts to sit on, camera, chairs for adults, snacks

Late-Breaking Information

Facebook​Late-breaking news and announcements will be emailed to those registered and posted on the Iron District Facebook page.

Please like the official Iron Horse District page at www.facebook.com/IronHorseDistrict.Facebook​ Invite parents and Scouters in the district to like our page. Units and Scouters can tag @Iron Horse District - Sam Houston Area Council and message pictures. To make sure you never miss a post, after liking the page, click on 'Following' and 'See First.' To help us promote Scouting, please engage with our content by liking, commenting and sharing our posts.

For additional district communications, sign up for the Iron Horse District newsletter.

For additional council information, sign up for the eScouter and follow the Sam Houston Area Council Facebook page. Tag the council (@shac.bsa) and send them pics of your Scouting memories.

Iron Horse District Facebook    Iron Horse District Newsletter    SHAC Facebook

Health and Safety

  • Personal Health Form – A BSA Annual Health and Medical Record enables the first aid team to be able to apply basic first aid in the event of cuts or other minor injuries. All youth must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. Each pack/den should have a binder/folder containing current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record for everyone onsite.
  • Medication – If a Cub Scout requires medication, a parent/guardian/responsible adult should stay aware of dosages and the times that dosage should be taken. The youth should also know where the medication is and who is responsible for delivering the dose. Keep all medications in a cool place and out of the hands of others.
  • Water - Dehydration is always a concern at any Cub Scout event. December is normally cooler, but dehydrate can still occur easily. Drink water during the day, especially after racing.
  • Buddy System – All youth should use the buddy system when moving throughout the area. Keep an eye on all youth during the event. This is a large event and it is not closed to the outside public. Always use the buddy system and have Cub Scouts/youth go everywhere with a friend.
  • Protective Gear – A hat during the day will reduce sunburn opportunities. A helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, and long pants are recommended and should be considered cool pushmobile wear! Safe is in.
  • Comfort - Bring a chair(s) to rest and relax. An umbrella is always useful; even without rain.
  • Prohibited:
    • Alcohol and tobacco are not allowed at the event. Smoking is only allowed in the vehicle parking lot away from the youth. 
    • Pets are not allowed. 
    • Scooters, skateboards, bikes, roller blades/skates, and other moving objects are not allowed at this event.

Midway

During the downtime between races, Cub Scouts can visit the midway to participate in the free games and complete some Scouting activities. 

Rules and Regulations

Drawings

  1. pushmobile​Pushmobile is for the Cub Scouts. While winning is fun, participating is too. Every Cub Scout racing deserves positive reinforcement, such as a pat on the back. Keep it fun! Remember that the event staff is all volunteers.
  2. All pushmobiles must pass the inspection prior to participating in the race. Repairs may be made of any problems noted but must be re-inspected.
  3. The minimum team is four Cub Scouts and a full team is eight Cub Scouts. 
  4. Tires and wheels are to be between 3" and 12". Wheels should not be over 12". Solid or pneumatic tires are acceptable. Note: Wheel size has changed from last year.  Please check wheel size.
  5. Brakes are optional but are suggested. The metal hinges may be used as a brake pivot.
  6. Pushmobiles must have at least four wheels and stand upright without assistance.
  7. A push bar must be permanently attached or integrated into the rear of the pushmobile. This should not swivel or rotate.
  8. No engines or gears or other means of mechanical locomotion are permitted. Pushmobiles must rely on Cub Scout power only.
  9. Pushmobiles may not be shared between dens with the same rank. Pushmobiles may be shared between different ranks.
  10. Once racing begins, all pushmobiles must remain in the staging area near the start/finish line to prevent delays.
  11. Adult coaches are not allowed to touch the pushmobile or Cub Scouts once the race has started nor are they allowed to leave their position anytime during the race. Time penalties will be applied for violations.
  12. Pushmobiles are to be built by the Cub Scouts out of wood with the exception of the wheels, axles, hinges for the brake system and necessary bolts and screws used to fasten the wood pieces together. Avoid sharp edges as well.
  13. Pushmobiles will have a functional seat with a backrest. All racers must sit firmly in the seat during the race. In other words, racers may not crouch in the seat. Seat height may be no greater than 18” above the ground.
  14. Pushmobiles inside wheel dimensions may be no less than 32 inches. This is measured from the inside of one wheel to the inside of the next wheel on the same axle.
  15. The push-bar must not be made out of metal.
  16. Steering wheel or bar must not be made out of metal.
  17. The steering mechanism must limit the turning radius of the car. Steering play must not exceed 10 degrees in either direction (less is better).
  18. Once vehicles are inspected and parked in the pit, no entry to the pit by any Cub Scout or adult is allowed. Please help keep the Cub Scouts out of this area. Race team leadership may enter the pit to retrieve vehicle prior to the race.
  19. No one is allowed in the racing lanes during the races except the Cub Scouts in that race.
  20. At each 25-yard marker, the vehicle must come to a stop. A one-second penalty will be assessed for each occurrence. Cub Scouts must rotate positions at this time.
  21. A pushmobile must completely cross the end of the lane marker (100 yards) before being turned around (180 degrees) to continue racing back. A one-second penalty will be assessed for the racers that do not comply.
  22. Cub Scouts must switch positions during the race at each stopping point. Each Cub Scout will get to push the vehicle once and steer the vehicle once at least. If you do not have enough Cub Scouts for a complete race team, do your best to find enough prior to the turn-in for all pushmobile forms. Remember, lesser ranks can race in other ranks. For example, a Tiger can race on a Wolf team, but a Wolf can't race on a Tiger team.
  23. A one-second penalty will be assessed for vehicles that do not stay in their lane during the race. A second-time penalty may be accessed for time for being out of your lane for a longer time period. In the event of a collision or major disruption in the race, the team that was affected by the other team will have the option to stop and race their race over. This is at the sole discretion of the pushmobile racing officials.
  24. Cub Scouts that are waiting for the Pushmobile to reach their relay position must stay out of the race lane and by the yard marker.
  25. No one, (Cub Scout or adult) may run alongside the pushmobile during the race. All Cub Scouts must remain in place until the race is completed. A one-second penalty will be assessed per violation.
  26. Seat belts, brakes, and helmets are not required but are suggested.
  27. Protests must be taken to the event chair immediately following the race. The decision of the event chair is final.

Scouting Safely

Safety is Your Responsibility poster​The BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them. 

BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow Youth Protection Guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:

  • Two-deep leadership on all outings required.  
  • One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited. 
  • The buddy system should be used at all times. 
  • Discipline must be constructive.

Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council has developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

Youth Protection Guidelines     Guide to Safe Scouting      Sweet Sixteen      Enterprise Risk Management

Contacts

For questions, contact the Pushmobile chair or district activities chair.