Map and compass skills are important for all Scouts. It is good to introduce them to Cub Scouts since they will rely on them more when they become Boy Scouts. Cub Scouts can hone their skills by working on the Map and Compass pin  from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program.

Map and Compass Pin Requirements

Earn the Map and Compass belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Explain to your den or an adult family member what cartography means.
2. Make a poster showing 10 map symbols and their meaning.
3. Read a book or story about a famous explorer or navigator. Tell your den or family what you learned.
4. Make a simple compass with a magnet and pin.
5. Explain the difference between latitude and longitude and show them on a map or globe.
6. Draw a compass rose for a map. Label north, south, east, and west.
7. Study a blank map of the United States of America. Label your state, and the states that share its boundary lines.
8. In the field, show how to take a compass bearing and how to follow it.
9. Show how to measure distances, using a scale on a map legend.
10. Measure your pace. Then layout a simple compass course for your den to try.
11. Using a road map, determine how many miles it is between two major cities or familiar destinations.
12. Explain what the different map colors can mean on a map.

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BSA provides Wolf den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders. Today’s plan is a supplemental den meeting plan in which Wolf Cub Scouts make a recipe card holder.  This plan covers part of Wolf Elective 3 – Make It Yourself.

If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Supplemental Wolf Den Meeting Plan F to follow along with this article.

Wolf Den Meeting Plans –  Make It Yourself

Preparation and Before the Meeting

Your preparation will involve arranging for an appropriate location where the Wolves can work with tools. You will also need to gather up the tools and supplies beforehand.

Gathering, Opening, and Business

See my Gathering Activities page for ideas for the gathering time. Do an opening flag ceremony.

Activities

The focus of this meeting is making the recipe card holder. The plans are in your Wolf handbook. This fulfills elective 3a:

Make something useful for your home or school. Start with a recipe card holder.

They will also do elective 3b, which only takes a few minutes:

Use the ruler on this page (125) to see how far you can stretch your hand.

The meeting plan mentions that you might need additional activities for this meeting and suggests doing something from Wolf Achievement 1 – Feats of Skill. Or you could play any game. See my games page for ideas.

Closing

Do a closing flag ceremony.

After the Meeting

The Wolves should help clean up the area and put away the supplies. Line up some adults to help out at the next meeting.

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BSA provides Bear den meeting ideas for den leaders on the Scouting.org website. These Cub Scout Bear den meeting plans are step by step guides to carrying out a den meeting. In addition to the basic den meeting plans, there are supplemental plans which can be used if you have additional meetings left. Today’s plan covers Bear Achievement 22 – Tying It All Up

If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Bear Den Meeting Supplemental Plan C to follow along with this article.

Bear Den Meeting Ideas: Tying It All Up

Preparation and Before the Meeting

To prepare for this den meeting, get your materials together and then practice the knots and tricks! The idea to have a Den Chief assist is a good one. Give him a specific assignment or two so he can prepare for the meeting also.

If knots don’t come naturally to you, I recommend the Klutz Book of Knots. You can find other helps on my Bear Achievement 22 – Tying It All Up page.

Gathering

Check out my gathering activities page for ideas. The Human Knot Game would go well with this theme.

Opening

Have a flag ceremony. Say the Scout Law.

Business

Keep business to a minimum. Your Bears will want to move on to the hands on activities.

Activities

The den will be working on Bear Achievement 22

Achievement 22a: Whip the ends of a rope.

Achievement 22b: Tie a square knot, bowline, sheet bend, two half hitches, and slip knot. Tell how each knot is used.

The instructions are in your Bear handbook. Let the Den Chief assist you. He should already know how to do these from his own Boy Scout advancement requirements. I love the idea in the BSA plan of tying the knots with licorice. The Cub Scouts will enjoy that.

Achievement 22c:  Learn how to keep a rope from tangling.

Achievement 22d: Coil a rope. Throw it, hitting a 2-foot-square marker 20 feet away.

These can be done together and 22d can be turned into a game. Adding a little friendly competition will make this more fun for the Bears.

Achievement 22e: Learn a magic rope trick.

The magic overhand knot described in the plan is probably the easiest one to do.  If you and an assistant want to try something a little more complicated, check out the The Great Rope Escape Magic Trick.

Closing

Close with the Scout Oath.

After the meeting

The Bears should help put away all of the ropes and other supplies. And don’t forget to line up some parents to help at the next meeting.

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BSA provides Wolf den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders. Today’s plan is a supplemental den meeting plan which gives Wolves the opportunity to do some activities related to nature.  This plan continues to work on   Wolf Elective 5 – Spare Time Fun. The Wolves will complete their Pinewood Derby cars, which were started in Meeting B. This meeting will focus on decorating the cars.

If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Supplemental Wolf Den Meeting Plan C to follow along with this article.

For an excellent resource for the design and building process, see Getting Started in Pinewood Derby: Step-by-Step Workbook to Building Your First Car. This step-by-step guide will help you with the process, but still keep the ownership of the design and tool work with the Scouts.

Wolf Den Meeting Plans –  More Spare Time Fun

Preparation and Before the Meeting

Gather some supplies which the Wolves can use to decorate their cars – markers, stickers, etc.

Gathering

See my gathering activities page for some ideas.

Opening

Do a simple opening flag ceremony.

Business

Keep business to a minimum.

Activities

Complete the Pinewood Derby cars for Elective 5:

Make or put together some kind of model boat, airplane, train, or car.

Build pinewood derby cars with each Scout.

Have some simple games ready for Wolves who finish early. See my games page for ideas.

Closing

Do a simple closing like the Scout Oath.

After the Meeting

The Wolves should help clean everything up. Working on the cars can be messy, but they can clean up and put things away.

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BSA provides Bear den meeting ideas for den leaders on the Scouting.org website. These Cub Scout Bear den meeting plans are step by step guides to carrying out a den meeting. In addition to the basic den meeting plans, there are supplemental plans which can be used if you have additional meetings left. Today’s plan covers Bear Achievement 19 – Shavings and Chips.

If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Bear Den Meeting Supplemental Plan B to follow along with this article.

Bear Den Meeting Plans: Shavings and Chips

Preparation and Before the Meeting

Most of the preparation for this meeting is gathering the supplies. Also, check with your school, church, or other provider of your meeting space to find out if it is OK for the Bears to use knives there. Many schools in particular have a very strict “no knife” policy, so you might have to find an alternate meeting location.

Gathering

Have each Bear make a Make a Fake Pocketknife to help demonstrate how to safely handle a knife. Or check out my gathering activities page for other ideas.

Opening

Have a flag ceremony. Say the Scout Law.

Business

Hand out any recognitions and information, but keep it moving.

Activities

The den will be working on Bear Achievement 19:

19a: Know the safety rules for handling a knife.

The downloadable den meeting plan lists some safety rules. Bears can also look at the list in their books.

Achievement 19b: Show that you know how to take care of and use a pocketknife.

If you made the fake pocketknives as a gathering activity, then have them demonstrate sharpening,  opening, closing, etc with these first. Then let them do it with a real knife.

Achievement 19c: Make a carving with a knife.

We did the Whittling Chip card requirements first and then did this with real knives and blocks of wood.  Also, they each took a  pocketknife safety quiz . ( Pocketknife Safety Quiz Answers )

Achievement 19d: Earn the Whittling Chip card.

Just review the rules again and have them take the pledge. The pledge is also in their books.

Closing

Close with the Scout Oath.

After the meeting

There might be some mess from the carving, so have the Bears help clean up.

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BSA provides Wolf den meeting ideas for Cub Scout den leader. Today’s plan is a supplemental den meeting plan which gives Wolves the opportunity to do some activities related to nature.  This plan covers part of  Wolf Elective 5 – Spare Time Fun.

Your Wolf Cub Scouts will be working on their Pinewood Derby cars, so this meeting is intended to be completed before your Pack Pinewood Derby. They will be starting the car at this meeting and completing it at the next.

If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Supplemental Wolf Den Meeting Plan B to follow along with this article.

Pay attention to the note about safety in the plan:

Note: Power tools are not appropriate for use by Cub Scouts. (See Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting activities at www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/Resources/AgeAppropriateGuidelines).

Wolf Den Meeting Plans –  Spare Time Fun

Preparation and Before the Meeting

You will need to arrange a location for this meeting where you can work with tools. The plan suggests a hardware shop. A home with a large workshop or the workshop at a local school would also work. You could also check with your local carpenter’s union to see if you could use their space (and expertise). You will also need to get your supplies.

You will also need to gather the materials listed in the plan beforehand.

Gathering

See my gathering activities page for some ideas.

Opening

Do a simple opening flag ceremony. If a flag pole is available, you could do a flag raising ceremony.

Business

Keep business to a minimum.

Activities

Do Elective 5:

Make or put together some kind of model boat, airplane, train, or car.

Build pinewood derby cars with each Scout.

For an excellent resource for the design and building process, see Getting Started in Pinewood Derby: Step-by-Step Workbook to Building Your First Car. This step-by-step guide will help you with the process, but still keep the ownership of the design and tool work with the Scouts.

Closing

Do a simple closing like the Scout Oath. Or if you did a flag raising at the beginning of the meeting, lower it.

After the Meeting

The Wolves should help clean everything up. Working on the cars can be messy, but they can help sweep and put things back as they found them.

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BSA provides Bear den meeting ideas for den leaders on the Scouting.org website. These Cub Scout Bear den meeting plans are step by step guides to carrying out a den meeting. In addition to the basic den meeting plans, there are supplemental plans which can be used if you have additional meetings left. Today I will go through the first Bear supplemental plan – maps. This plan covers much of Bear Elective 23 – Maps and the Map and Compass Belt Loop.

If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Bear Den Meeting Supplemental Plan A to follow along with this article.

Bear Den Meeting Plans: Maps

Preparation and Before the Meeting

Most of the preparation for this meeting is gathering the maps and other supplies for the meeting.

Gathering

Check out my gathering activities page for some ideas.

Opening

Say the Scout Law.

Business

Keep business to a minimum.

Activities

The den will be working on Bear Elective 23, requirements a, b, c, and e as well as the Map and Compass belt loop.

Elective 23a. Look up your state on a U.S. map. What other states touch its borders?
Elective 23b. Find your city or town on a map of your state. How far do you live from the state capital?
Elective 23c. In which time zone do you live? How many time zones are there in the U.S.?

These 3 can be completed by spreading out some maps and looking at them. If your den is large, then definitely follow the suggestion to break them into groups and rotate through the activities. It is difficult to have more than about 4 Cub Scouts looking at a map at once, even if it is large.

Elective 23 e. Mark a map showing the way to a place you would like to visit that is at least 50 miles from your home.

Combine this with requirement 3 for the belt loop below. They can draw their own map and mark the route on it. They will probably find it helpful to have a map to look at when drawing their own maps.

Map and Compass belt loop 1: Show how to orient a map. Find three landmarks on the map.

This should be done with the other map activities above.

Map and Compass belt loop 2: Explain how a compass works.

The Bears will enjoy creating their own compasses. See Make Your Own Compass for additional information about making the compass.

Map and Compass belt loop 3: Draw a map of your neighborhood. Label the streets and plot the route you take to get to a place that you often visit

Their hand drawn maps probably won’t be perfect. It is interesting to ask them about the landmarks they put on their maps. Sometimes these are much different than what adults would consider landmarks. I

Closing

Close with the Scout Oath.

After the meeting

Have them help fold the maps and put them away. Line up some parents to help at the next meeting.

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BSA provides Bear den meeting ideas for den leaders on the Scouting.org website. These Cub Scout Bear den meeting plans are step by step guides to carrying out a den meeting. Today’s article covers the sixteenth  Bear Cub Scout den meeting plan which continues work on  Bear Achievement 21 – Build a Model. The pinewood derby cars were started in the previous meeting plan.

If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Bear Den Meeting Plan 16 to follow along with this article.

Hopefully your Bears are ready to finish their cars at this point. If you are looking for some creative ideas for finishing the cars and for fine tuning their performance, see the book Getting Started in Pinewood Derby.

BSA Bear Den Meeting Plan 16 – Build a Model (Pinewood Derby Car Continued)

Preparation and Before the Meeting

You will need to arrange a location for this meeting where you can paint and finish the cars. Bring some table covers and drop cloths, as well as some cleaning supplies. You can decide if you will bring the finishing supplies or if each Cub Scout will bring his own. You might want to have some basic supplies, but suggest they bring any special decorations they want to use.

Gathering

Check out my gathering activities page for some ideas.

Opening

Do a simple indoor flag ceremony or an outdoor ceremony. Don’t forget to give each of the Bears a chance to participate in flag ceremonies.

Business

Keep business to a minimum.

Activities

Continue working on the pinewood derby cars. This will fulfill Achievement 21a – Build a model:

Build pinewood derby cars with each Scout.

Have some adults on hand to supervise, but let the Cub Scouts take the lead in this activity. Remember, the “perfect” car is the one the Cub Scout made. Don’t judge by adult standards.

There will be some time needed for paint and glue to dry. Have some activities ready for when the Scouts aren’t actively working on the cars. See my Games Page for some ideas.

Closing

Close with the Boy Scout Law.

After the meeting

Everyone should help clean up the area. If the cars still aren’t finished, encourage them to finish up at home.

Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting

BSA provides Bear den meeting ideas for den leaders on the Scouting.org website. These Cub Scout Bear den meeting plans are step by step guides to carrying out a den meeting. Today’s article covers the fifteenth Bear Cub Scout den meeting plan which is all about Bear Achievement 21 – Build a Model.

If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Bear Den Meeting Plan 15 to follow along with this article.

Note that you probably won’t be able to finish the cars in a single meeting, but at least you can get a good start on it. Encourage parents who are helping to let the Scouts guide the design process and use the tools. Sometimes parents tend to take over this activity.

Pay attention to the note about safety in the plan:

Note: Power tools are not appropriate for use by Cub Scouts. (See Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting activities at www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/Resources/AgeAppropriateGuidelines).

Bear Den Meeting Ideas:  Build a Model (Pinewood Derby Car)

Preparation and Before the Meeting

You will need to arrange a location for this meeting where you can work with tools. The plan suggests a hardware shop. A home with a large workshop or the workshop at a local school would also work. You could also check with your local carpenter’s union to see if you could use their space (and expertise). You will also need to get your supplies.

Gathering

Check out my gathering activities page for some ideas.

Opening

Do a simple indoor flag ceremony or an outdoor ceremony. Don’t forget to give each of the Bears a chance to participate in flag ceremonies.

Business

Keep business to a minimum.

Activities

This meeting is all about working on the pinewood derby cars. This will fulfill Achievement 21a – Build a model:

Build pinewood derby cars with each Scout.

For a great resource for the design and building process, see Getting Started in Pinewood Derby: Step-by-Step Workbook to Building Your First Car. This step-by-step guide will help you with the process, but still keep the ownership of the design and tool work with the Scouts.

Closing

Close with the Law of the Pack or the Cub Scout Promise.

After the meeting

There will be plenty to clean up, so have the Scouts help with that. Give them some encouragement to finish their cars. And line up some parents to help you at the next meeting.

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BSA provides a set of Tiger den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders. There are 16 basic meeting plan ideas and then some additional supplemental Tiger den meeting ideas. This is the third in the series of the supplemental tiger den meeting plans. It continues Tiger Elective 17 – Make a Model which was started at the previous meeting.

You can download the complete meeting plan from the BSA website: Printable copy of BSA Tiger Den Meeting Supplemental Plan C – Make a Model

BSA Tiger Den Meeting Plans: Supplemental Plan C - Make a Model (Pinewood Derby Car)

Preparation and Before the Meeting

Remind the Tigers and their partners to bring their partially completed Pinewood Derby cars to this meeting.

Gathering

See my gathering activities page for ideas for gathering activities. Or play a  game during gathering time.

Opening

Start with a simple flag ceremony and Cub Scout Promise.

Business

Keep this business short and sweet.

Activities

At this meeting, the Tigers will be painting and decorating their cars. Remind the parents that the Tigers should be allowed to choose how to decorate, even if it doesn’t look like what the parents envisioned.  What is attractive and fun from the parents’ point of view might be different from what a Tiger Cub thinks a really cool car looks like.

For creative ideas see  Getting Started in Pinewood Derby by Troy Thorne. There are some suggestions in the book which will make it easier for little hands to do the decorating themselves.

Closing

Keep it simple. Say the Law of the Pack.

After the Meeting

Everyone should help clean up. Arrange a place to meet next time.

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BSA provides Webelos den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders on the Scouting.org website. These meeting plans are full of Webelos den meeting ideas. The fourteenth Webelos den meeting plan continues work on the  Craftsman Activity Badge  .

In the previous meeting, Webelos worked on their pinewood derby cars.  In this plan, they create a display stand and four other items. This seems ambitious, so you might have to take the advice in the note at the bottom of the plan and have them complete some of the projects at home.

If you don’t already have the BSA Webelos den meeting plans, download BSA Webelos Den Meeting Plan 14 to follow along with this article.

BSA Webelos Den Meeting Ideas: Plan # 14 – Craftsman

Preparation and Before the Meeting

You will need to find a suitable location for the meeting where the Webelos can work on their projects and you will also need to gather your materials and project plans.

Gathering

See my gathering activities page for some ideas.

Opening

If  a flag is available at your location, you can do a simple indoor flag ceremony. Say the Boy Scout Oath.

Business

Keep business to a minimum. The Webelos will want to get busy making things.

Activities

The Webelos will be making a display stand and four non-wood projects:

Requirement 3: Make a display stand, or box to be used to display a model or an award. Or make a frame for a photo or painting. Use suitable material.

Requirement 4: Make four useful items using materials other than wood that you and your Webelos den leader agree on, such as clay, plastic, leather, metal, paper, rubber, or rope. These should be challenging items and must involve several operations.

The meeting plan only gives instructions for one project – a binder to store Boy’s Life magazines. See my Craftsman projects page for other ideas.

Closing

Close with the Boy Scout Law. Remind them to do the work for Scholar as described in the meeting plan so they can be ready for their next den meeting. Send home some sheets with project ideas so they can finish up Craftsman at home.

After the Meeting

Projects can be messy, so everyone should help clean up. Sometime before the next meeting, remind them to keep working on their Craftsman projects and to get ready to do Scholar next.

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This book contains 20 whittling projects. Beginning wood carvers will find some new ideas here.

Great for Cub Scouts working on Bear Achievement 19 – Shavings and Chips and Boy Scouts working on Wood Carving Merit Badge.

From the publisher:

With a friendly, down-home style, this guide encourages readers to whittle away the hours. Great for beginners looking for an easy way to get started and more advanced carvers looking for a relaxing way to spend their time, this instructional manual provides 20 projects, including knives, forks, birds, animals, trees, and flowers. Chapters detail the proper whittling tools and materials, including what woods are best to carve, and how to start projects by selecting and safely sharpening the best knife for each project.

Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting

Our older Scouts were doing Totin Chip instructions with the younger Scouts recently. One of their friends who had dropped out of Cub Scouts went riding by with his sisters. He took his sisters home and return on his bike. (He lives right next to our church.) Went right up to the guys and asked them what they were doing. They explained and he said he wanted to learn about axes too.  So he stayed for the rest of the meeting and then went home and brought his mom up so she could sign him up for Boy Scouts.

He explained to my husband (the Scoutmaster) that he only wants to do the fun stuff. My husband just smiled and said that was OK. After all, isn’t most of the stuff they do fun stuff?

Totin Chip Requirements

This certification grants a Scout the right to carry and use woods tools. The Scout must show his Scout leader, or someone designated by his leader, that he understands his responsibility to do the following:

1. Read and understand woods tools use and safety rules from the Boy Scout Handbook.
2. Demonstrate proper handling, care, and use of the pocket knife, ax, and saw.
3. Use knife, ax, and saw as tools, not playthings.
4. Respect all safety rules to protect others.
5. Respect property. Cut living and dead trees only with permission and good reason.
6. Subscribe to the Outdoor Code.

The Scout’s “Totin’ Rights” can be taken from him if he fails in his responsibility.

Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting

BSA provides Webelos den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders on the Scouting.org website. These meeting plans are full of Webelos den meeting ideas. The thirteenth Webelos den meeting plan starts the  Craftsman Activity Badge  .

This Webelos den meeting plan is for working on Pinewood Derby cars as a Craftsman project. Additional craftsman projects and Webelos den meeting  ideas can be found on my Craftsman projects page.

If you don’t already have the BSA Webelos den meeting plans, download BSA Webelos Den Meeting Plan 13 to follow along with this article.

BSA Webelos Den Meeting Ideas: Plan # 13 – Craftsman

Preparation and Before the Meeting

For the preparation for this meeting, you will need to find a location with a workshop which can accommodate your den. The plan suggests a parent’s home workshop or a hardware store. A school wood shop classroom might also be a possibility.

You will also need to obtain an official Pinewood Derby kit for each Scout. You might want to have each Scout bring a design for their car.

You will need to arrange for lots of adult help at this meeting.

Gathering

See my gathering activities page for some ideas.

Opening

If  a flag is available at your location, you can do a simple indoor flag ceremony. Say the Boy Scout Law .

Business

Keep business to a minimum.

Activities

First, you will talk about tool safety for requirement 1:

Explain how to safely handle the tools that you will use for this activity badge safely.

The main activity is building the Pinewood Derby car. This will fulfill part of requirement 2:

With adult supervision and using hand tools, construct two different wooden objects you and your Webelos den leader agree on, such as the items listed below. Use a coping saw or jigsaw for these projects. Put them together with glue, nails, or screws. Paint or stain them. (Book rack, Napkin holder, Shelf, Animal cutouts, Bulletin board, Garden tool rack, Weather vane, Lid holder, Tie rack, Mailbox, Letter holder, Birdhouse, Notepad holder, Desk nameplate, Toolbox, Letter, Bill. and Pencil holder, Towel rack, Bread box, Recipe holder, Key rack, Lamp stand, Measuring cup rack, Kitchen knife rack, Measuring spoon rack, Kitchen utensil rack)

It will probably not be possible to complete the cars in one meeting with all of the gluing,  painting, and finishing which the boys like to do. Many of these steps can require drying time. Get as much done as possible. Or see my Craftsman projects page for other ideas.

Closing

Close with the Boy Scout Oath. The Webelos need to be learning the Boy Scout Oath and Boy Scout Law.

After the Meeting

Everyone will need to clean up at this meeting. This is a good time to line up some parents to help you at the next meeting.

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You can always find the area of Boy Scout summer camp where they are working on the Leatherwork merit badge by the noise of boys busily stamping leather.

Scouts who complete the requirements to earn the Leatherwork merit badge will explore leather’s history and its endless uses. They will learn to make a useful leather item using the same types of raw materials that our ancestors used; be challenged to master skills like hand-stitching, lacing, and braiding.; and learn how to preserve and protect leather items so they will last a lifetime and beyond.

Leatherwork Merit Badge Requirements

1. Identify and demonstrate to your counselor the safe use of leatherworking tools. Show correct procedures for handling leathercraft dyes, cements, and finishes. Know first aid for cuts, internal poisoning, and skin irritation.
2. Explain to your counselor
   1. Where leather comes from
   2. What kinds of hides are used to make leather
   3. What are five types of leather
   4. What are the best uses for each type of leather
3. Make one or more articles of leather that use at least five of the following steps:
   1. Pattern layout and transfer
   2. Cutting leather
   3. Punching holes
   4. Carving or stamping surface designs
   5. Applying dye or stain and finish to the project
   6. Assembly by lacing or stitching
   7. Setting snaps and rivets
   8. Dressing edges
4. Recondition or show that you can take proper care of your shoes, a baseball glove, a saddle, furniture, or other articles of leather.
5. Do ONE of the following:
   1. Learn about the commercial tanning process. Report about it to your merit badge counselor.
   2. Tan the skin of a small animal. Describe the safety precautions you will take and the tanning method that you used.
   3. Braid or plait an article out of leather or vinyl lace.
   4. Visit a leather-related business. This could be a leathercraft supply company, a tannery, a leather goods or shoe factory, or a saddle shop. Report on your visit to your counselor.

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Homemade neckerchief slides are a Scouting tradition. John A. (Cubmaster of Pack 528 in Cascade Pacific Council, NW Oregon/SW Washington) sent me this idea for a Cub Scout neckerchief slide which looks like a little Cub Scout handbook.  Thanks John!

John also sent me this file with images for the slides: Mini Cub Scout Handbook Neckerchief Slide Images

If you have an idea you’d like to share,  just send it to me.

Mini Cub Scout Handbook slide.

Nice Slide – and relatively easy to make.

Scan the front, binding, and back of a Cub Scout handbook.

Past the three images together to make one picture/image that is the front side and back of the book in one flat image. Shrink to about 18% and print out in a color printer.

Measure width and height of the printed book cover.

Cut 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick plywood blocks the same size as the cover and use a small amount of white glue to blue the printed cover onto the block, wrapping around the front side and back. Trim if needed.

Cover with a clear varnish. Glue a PVC loop on the back.

Any Cub or Boy scout handbook (or any book) can be shrunk and made into a slide.

Printing on card stock makes a bit better cover, but paper does work OK also.

Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting

Scouts can never do too many duct tape crafts! A reader recently asked this question on my Holiday Napkin Rings post:

I saw duct tape napkin rings in a book that were a little “fancier” and complex than this. Anyone know what I’m talking about? Have looked high and low online, can’t find any instructions.

I looked around and found these very cute duct tape napkin rings and the instructions:

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Boy Scouts make a carpentry project while working on the Woodwork merit badge. Our local carpenters union holds a skill center for this badge every year and the Scouts who have gone have really enjoyed it.

Wood is an amazingly versatile, practical, yet beautiful material. A skilled craftsman can use wood to fashion just about anything. As a woodworker or carpenter, you will find no end of useful, valuable, and fun items you can make yourself, from wood.

Woodwork Merit Badge Requirements

1. Do the following:
   1. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in woodwork activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards. Explain what precautions you should take to safely use your tools.
   2. Show that you know first aid for injuries that could occur while woodworking, including splinters, scratches, cuts, severe bleeding, and shock. Tell what precautions must be taken to help prevent loss of eyesight or hearing, and explain why and when it is necessary to use a dust mask.
   3. Earn the Totin’ Chip recognition.
2. Do the following:
1. Describe how timber is grown, harvested, and milled. Tell how lumber is cured, seasoned, graded, and sized.
2. Collect and label blocks of six kinds of wood useful in woodworking. Describe the chief qualities of each. Give the best uses of each.
3. Do the following:
1. Show the proper care, use, and storage of all working tools and equipment that you own or use at home or school.
2. Sharpen correctly the cutting edges of two different tools.
4. Using a saw, plane, hammer, brace, and bit, make something useful of wood. Cut parts from lumber that you have squared and measured from working drawings.
5. Create your own carpentry project. List the materials you will need to complete your project, and then build your project. Keep track of the time you spend and the cost of the materials.
6. Do any TWO of the following:
   1. Make working drawings of a project needing  – (1) Beveled or rounded edges OR curved or incised cuttings, OR (2) Miter, dowel, or mortise and tenon joints. Build this project.
   2. Make a cabinet, box or something else with a door or lid fastened with inset hinges.
   3. Help make and repair wooden toys for underprivileged children; OR help carry out a carpentry service project approved by your counselor for a charitable organization.
7. Talk with a cabinetmaker or carpenter. Find out about the training, apprenticeship, career opportunities, work conditions, work hours, pay rates, and union organization that woodworking experts have in your area.

Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting

BSA provides den meeting plans for den leaders on the Scouting.org website. Today, I am going to go through the ninth Wolf plan. If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Wolf Den Meeting Plan 9 to follow along with this article.

This meeting plan covers Wolf Achievement 5 – Tools for Fixing and Building.

Also, remember that Cub Scouts use hand tools. The note in the program helps states:

Power tools are not appropriate for use by Cub Scouts, review the use of age-appropriate tools for Cub Scouts in the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book and Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting.

Get BSA Wolf Den Meeting Plan 9 from the Scouting.org website

BSA Wolf Den Meeting Plan 9 – Tools for Fixing and Building

Preparation and Before the Meeting

This meeting requires some prep work. You need to find an appropriate place to meet and make sure you have enough adult help. Pay careful attention to all of the details laid out in the meeting plan.

Gathering Activity

Try the Hand Tools Puzzle.

Opening

Do a simple opening flag ceremony or an outdoor ceremony if a flagpole is available. If all else fails, open with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Business

Keep business short and to the point.

Activities

On to the fun! First start out with pointing out the different tools and telling what they are used for. You can make this into a guessing game. “What is this tool?” “What would I use it for?” This completes requirement 5a.

For 5b, let them each try a pair of pliers. Have something ready for them to try the pliers on.

For 5c, the suggestion to have the boards with holes predrilled is a must. If you do this, this requirement should go smoothly.

5d is also pretty straightforward if you have the materials ready. Demonstrate how to drive a nail safely and then let them try it. My dens really enjoyed this part.

The final requirement, 5e, is the most challenging. You need to think of something useful which the guys can actually make themselves. With one of my dens, I had a lot of adults willing to help and we made bat houses. With another den, I had less adult involvement, so we had to do something a little simpler. We made tin can lanterns.

Closing

Finish up with the Law of the Pack or the Cub Scout Promise.

After the Meeting

Everyone should help clean up. Don’t forget to recruit some parents to help you with the next meeting.

Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting

BSA provides den meeting plans for den leader on the Scouting.org website. Today, I am going to go through the sixth Bear plan If you don’t already have the BSA den meeting plans, download BSA Bear Den Meeting Plan 6 to follow along with this article.

The BSA meeting plans are designed to be done in order. This plan completes Bear Achievement 20 – Sawdust and Nails and covers part of Bear Achievement 15 – Games, Games, Games. To complete Achievement 2o, the Cub Scouts will be completing the tool boxes they started making in meeting 5. Remember that Cub Scouts can use hand tools. The note in the program helps states:

Note: Power tools are not appropriate for use by Cub Scouts. (See Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting activities at http://www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/Resources/ AgeAppropriateGuidelines .)

That page contains a link to a chart indicating what Cub Scouts are allowed to do. As you can see, Cub Scouts are allowed to use hand tools.

Get BSA Bear Den Meeting Plan 6 from the Scouting.org website

BSA Bear Den Meeting 6 – More Sawdust and Nails and Games, Games, Games!

Preparation and Before the Meeting

You need to ensure that you have the materials on hand for completing the toolboxes and any equipment required to play a game for Achievement 15.

Gathering

Do a puzzle or let them practice whatever game you will be playing for Achievement 15.

Opening

You can just do a simple indoor opening flag ceremony.

Business Items

Keep announcements short and sweet.

Activities

Finish working on the toolboxes for Bear Achievement 20.

Next, play one of the games listed for Bear Achievement 15. Some of these games are part of the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program, so if you have enough time, you could give your Cub Scouts a chance to earn a belt loop:

• Badminton Belt Loop and Pin
• Kickball Belt Loop and Pin
• Softball Belt Loop and Pin
• Volleyball Belt Loop and Pin

Closing

Have a brief closing – perhaps the Law of the Pack.

 After the Meeting

All of the Cub Scouts should help clean up the mess. This is a good time to connect with anyone who will be helping you at the next meeting.

Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting