AKRON, Ohio (Jan. 24, 2023) – The International Soap Box Derby is announcing that registrations are now available for all the organization’s community events at www.soapboxderby.org. Classic events like STEM Summer Camp, Inclusion Day, Senior Day, and more will be making a return in 2023.
The FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby (FEAASBD) World Championship returns for the 85th championship with nearly 400 champs expected. This year’s championship race week will kick off starting Sunday, July 16 and culminate on Saturday, July 22. Participants will be at Derby Downs working on their race cars beginning Sunday, July 16, and will have the opportunity during the week for trial runs on the famous Derby Downs track and to compete in preliminary Challenge races. Opening ceremonies for the Saturday championship begin at 8 a.m. and championship heats will run at approximately 2 p.m. There will be food, vendors, games, and STEM-based activities for spectators.
Inclusion Day presented by GPD Employee Foundation invites individuals of all abilities and their friends and family to have the opportunity to take a ride down the world-famous Derby Downs track in a ride-along Soap Box Derby car. Inclusion Day will be held on August 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Senior Day presented by Impel Wealth Management is a popular Derby Downs event that will be on August 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Senior residents and their families will have the opportunity to take a ride down the Derby Downs track in a Soap Box Derby car. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to explore the Aging on Track Senior Expo presented by Huntington National Bank, the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame and Museum Building. There will be live entertainment and a catered boxed lunch provided by City Barbeque. This event is supported by Western Reserve Hospital Senior Coalition and Danbury Senior Living
The Soap Box Derby® STEM Summer Program is designed for boys and girls ages 8-13. During this five-day program, students will participate in a variety of fun, hands-on STEM projects like constructing a Soap Box Derby car, racing a Soap Box car daily down Derby Downs track, and designing, building, and racing a Mini Soap Box car which is theirs to keep. The STEM Summer Program will be June 5 through 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Corporate Derby Challenge™ presented by Accenture is a high-energy event that ignites a team’s competitive fire as they collaborate assemble, decorate, and compete in an entertaining race with their own adult Soap Box Derby car. Corporations, small businesses, groups and community organizations can experience a very unique event that is sure to entertain. There will be a car showcase and networking event on June 23 with the competition on June 24.
The Soap Box Derby’s Annual Build-N-Battle is a fun and excellent opportunity to support the Soap Box Derby’s mission to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. This team-building event uses your company’s or organization’s talents to build a car and race against other teams. Build-N-Battle will be held Sept. 29, from 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more information or to register for any Soap Box Derby event, please visit www.soapboxderby.org or 330-733-8723 x13
About the Soap Box Derby
The International Soap Box Derby® is a non-profit youth education and leadership development organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through fair and honest racing competitions, STEM curriculums, and other community-focused activities. The Derby’s Core Values and Drivers include: Youth Education and Leadership Development; Family Engagement and Enrichment; Honesty, Integrity and Perseverance; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Teamwork and Collaboration; Mentoring; Volunteerism; and Commitment to Community. The Derby’s two youth initiatives are the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby racing program and the STEM-based Education Program, which provides educational opportunities for K-12 youth worldwide through Soap Box Derby racing. The Derby dates back to 1934, when the first All-American race was held in Dayton, Ohio. For more information, visit www.soapboxderby.org.