From Idaho to Indiana, this is how Pinewood Derby car kits get made

You’ve seen the 73-second cut. Now dive deeper with the 191-second version of our video that shows you how Pinewood Derby car kits get made.

These wood blocks begin their journey as ponderosa pine logs at a sustainable lumber mill in Idaho. They’re cut to size at a factory owned and operated by a family of Eagle Scouts.

Those blocks are transported to South Bend, Ind., where they go into retail boxes alongside four wheels and four axles.

In its 17 years making Pinewood Derby car kits, this single factory has created more than 23 million kits. The best part: the factory employs workers with disabilities, with a focus on training them and then finding them employment in the community. Last year alone, they placed 25 workers.

Once assembled and placed into shipping boxes of 48, the car kits head toward local Scout shops across the country.

The final step is the best one of all: Cub Scouts bring home the kits to make their very own Pinewood Derby car.

You can feel good knowing the entire process — from tree to track — uses sustainable materials, employs workers with special needs and is made in America.

Enjoy the video:

Don’t see the Facebook video linked above? Click here for the YouTube version.

Special shout-out to the team behind this video: Peter Simon, Roger Morgan, W. Garth Dowling and Tim Lawler.