ARLINGTON — After their parents had filled two parallel tracks of rain-gutters with water at Legion Park, the boys of Cub Scouts of America Pack 92 proceeded to huff and puff and blow their miniature sailboats down those tracks for their “Rain-Gutter Regatta.”

Cubmaster Jason Miller reported that the Aug. 21 event drew 12 boys and 18 parents, who all assembled their sailboats from the same kit.

“It was an epic turnout, one of the biggest crowds we’ve had for the regatta,” Miller said. “It took each kid between a day to a week to put together their sailboat, depending on the kid. They could paint it whatever colors they wanted, but they couldn’t use any parts outside of the kit.”

Miller explained that, through the trial and error of the annual event, the boys have learned the importance of sail design and maintaining a low center of gravity on their boats, which can only be propelled by their breath.

“Each year, they try to do better,” Miller said. “They develop independence and sportsmanship, even though nobody wants to lose a race.”

Although the regatta is the pack’s last event for the summer, Miller noted that it’s more active during the school year, and encouraged parents to stop by Pack 92’s tables at the Presidents and Kent Prairie elementary schools between 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

“Kids can’t join the Scouts until they’re in kindergarten, but once the school year is underway, we’ve got activities ranging from the Pinewood Derby, where they can build and race their own cars, to the Space Derby, where they can build and fire off their own rockets,” Miller said.

Miller also invited families to attend any of the pack’s den meetings at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays at Weston High School.