Are there established plans for the wood part of craftsman?

[christineka]

Cub master, who is helping me with webelos wants to finish up craftsman this month. I found a father last night at pack meeting, who has a coping saw, knows how to use it, and is willing to come to scouts and help. We need to make a plan of what to make, materials needed, and how to make it. Neither the cub master nor I do wood crafting stuff. Do you have any good resources for me?

[dedkad]

You could Google some of the project ideas listed in the Webelos handbook and get step-by-step instructions to build those things.

[Fehler]

Napkin holders are pretty easy. A 12" 1X6 board, two cuts (5,5, and 2), and four nails. Use a 1X4, increase board to 22" (5,5,5,5,2), add 8 more nails, and you have a pencil holder. Or google the "1-board birdhouse" and get some plans (hinging one side for cleaning is optional, but drilling a birdhole is a pain if you don't have the tools for it).

[King Ding Dong]

Napkin holders are pretty easy. A 12" 1X6 board, two cuts (5,5, and 2), and four nails. Use a 1X4, increase board to 22" (5,5,5,5,2), add 8 more nails, and you have a pencil holder. Or google the "1-board birdhouse" and get some plans (hinging one side for cleaning is optional, but drilling a birdhole is a pain if you don't have the tools for it).

I hole saw kit is very handy. Harbor Freight has sales on them all the time.

[RememberSchiff]

Seek other den or pack parents, grandparents with the necessary skills/resources. Hopefully you will make a connection to help your scouts earn Craftsman now. And who knows maybe that person(s) will continue interest as a merit badge counselor later.

My $0.02

[SSScout]

Along the way, teach'em the Whitlin' Chip. Everyone (boy and girl!) needs to know how to work with their hands and tools. Respect for an edge, confidence in one's own ability to see a task, plan the way to complete it and see it thru to the end can be very useful in the adult life.

 

Find the book "Reverence for Wood" by Eric Sloane, and learn about hand tools, back when there were no power tools.

[RememberSchiff]

Napkin holders? Go big or go home.

 

Back in the day, we built scout cars out of crates and wood scraps (dumpster diving at construction sites ). Each den built and rebuilt a push car. Our den competition was a relay - one scout drives and the others push when the car stops, switch drivers and repeat. Longest distance wins.

 

I was reminded of this when I read this article on the Cub Scout Soap Box Derby.

http://www.addisonindependent.com/201308scouts-swishhhhh-through-soap-box-derby

 

Later in boy scouts, same idea building a Klondike sled.

[ScoutNut]

Some resources for you -

 

http://pinterest.com/lrumburg/webelos-craftsman/

 

http://kevindevin.com/?p=2883

 

http://pack152.net/Webelos/craftsman.html

 

http://www.cubroundtable.com/assets/pdf-documents/Craftsman-Activity-Badge.pdf

 

A simple internet search for - webelos craftsman wood projects - brought up these, and more. Have fun!

[christineka]

I went googling. What do you think of these?

http://www.allcrafts.net/crochetsewingcrafts.htm?url=www.birdsandblooms.com/Backyard-Projects/Birdhouses/Birdhouse-for-Beginners- (I thought a bird feeder might be useful for naturalist. Also, if we have the pieces cut out, the wolf could work with us.)

 

http://home.comcast.net/~tmlevandusky/PowWow-woodworking/plans/climbing-cub-scout.pdf

My kids like this traditional toy and it would be a good gift for younger siblings. All 4 active boys have a younger sibling.

 

http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/woodworking-and-crafts/picture-frames-the-easy-way/project The picture frame would be useful for framing the outdoor picture drawn or painted for artist.

 

I need to go to home depot now to price this out, so that if my handymen volunteers give the "okay", I will then be prepared to get approval for spending the money on the materials.

[christineka]

Have you ever found home depot to give you a discount if you tell them you are buying the supplies for scouts? My totals for the 3 projects amount to $250 and that's for 7 of each. (One to make ahead, one to use as model along the way, and 5 for the 5 boys.)

 

Actually, I read the book again and the "challenging" part is for the non-wood items. Jacob's ladders sounds economical. The cub boys is only $30. Frames are expensive. Is there a cheaper way to do that?

[qwazse]

I went googling. What do you think of these?

http://www.allcrafts.net/crochetsewingcrafts.htm?url=www.birdsandblooms.com/Backyard-Projects/Birdhouses/Birdhouse-for-Beginners- (I thought a bird feeder might be useful for naturalist. Also, if we have the pieces cut out, the wolf could work with us.)

 

http://home.comcast.net/~tmlevandusky/PowWow-woodworking/plans/climbing-cub-scout.pdf

My kids like this traditional toy and it would be a good gift for younger siblings. All 4 active boys have a younger sibling.

 

http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/woodworking-and-crafts/picture-frames-the-easy-way/project The picture frame would be useful for framing the outdoor picture drawn or painted for artist.

 

I need to go to home depot now to price this out, so that if my handymen volunteers give the "okay", I will then be prepared to get approval for spending the money on the materials.

You gotta do the climbing scouts!

[qwazse]

Those frames are above the boy's pay grade! But, talk your budget over with your parents, and discuss what their goals are wih their boys. They might just be up for the challenge. Our daughter was cub age when my wife and I took up stain glass as a hobby. That drained our wallet, but my wife made some spectacular pieces, and Son #1 and my daughter did some really nice work as well. I made one piece that proudly hung in a coffe shop for a while until I gave it to a friend. It could have turned into a real occupation for us if we needed it to. So $80 for supplies, and my family gets a chance to make some creative stuff instead of credit card bills from the design store? I might just bite!

[jasper18]

When we did Craftsman, we did "non-traditional" picture frames (http://pinterest.com/pin/398216792021774701/) with cardboard, fabric, pushpins, a stapler and string. Using a sheet for the fabric and cardboard from Costco, I think the whole project cost about $10 total. The kids gave them as holiday presents and really enjoyed it.

 

I have also seen nice, non-traditional frames made from things like rocks and wire http://pinterest.com/pin/398216792021426149/ and cardboard and clothespins http://pinterest.com/pin/398216792021574146/

 

For the wood objects, 1) we made "tikis" for Blue and Gold using wood reclaimed from the woods, cut to size by the boys and decorated with nails, paint, etc. 2) we used the Pinewood Derby car built that year.

 

For the non-wood, 1) we did polymer clay keychains 2) paracord survival bracelets 3) beaded american flag neckerchief slides 4) duct tape wallets. One extra in case someone missed one of the days.

 

[jasper18]

There also are these for the woodworking adverse - http://pinterest.com/pin/398216792021348964/ Our Wal-Mart had the wooden rulers for 25 cents a piece and I think you could do this with $1 worth of rulers for each boy.

[christineka]

There also are these for the woodworking adverse - http://pinterest.com/pin/398216792021348964/ Our Wal-Mart had the wooden rulers for 25 cents a piece and I think you could do this with $1 worth of rulers for each boy.

Rulers! What a great idea! Thanks.