Boy Scout Woodworking Merit Badge #1: Intro to shop safety & first project

What a great day. Looks like a bunch of happy woodworkers. Tell Beth the cookies look wonderful.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Thanks Wayne! We had too much fun. Some great future woodworkers I hope.

The cookies were good. Although you had to be quick with these boys!

I only got one!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Way cool, I love what the scouts do for kids. I am most drawn to the scouts because I never was one and to this day wish I had gotten that chance.

By the way you’re son is so handsome, I bet no one has to tell him that though.

The kid with the black shirt looks like he has a ponytail in one picture, I guess I’m in a silly mood. I love that shirt that other kids is wearing that says if you can read this ….. and I love that proud look on that kids face with the green shirt, he looks like he is saying, yup, I actually made this great birdhouse.

What a good day you all had and especial since it ended with those hummy looking cookies.

Diane

-- http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb276/DMarcella/

Diane -

Thanks for the kind comments! I think that ponytail is blonde and it belongs to the cookie maker! The boys had a great time. Yes, Scouting does wonderful things for these youn men.

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Sorry, other than those cookies, what was this story about? Just kidding, as you know. David, you are a saint. I’ve told you of my forray into the scouts. Mind you, I did a multi-month model airplane construction and it tested the limits of my patience. The committment to get those kids into your shop, teach them safety, let them get their hands dirty, AND walk away with a project in their hands. Bravo, my friend, bravo!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Tom -

Cookies and woodworking! I can’t complain – it was a great day in the shop. I am looking forward to thier next vist as we still have some more work to do to complete the merit badge. I felt it was important to go home with a project in hand.

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Boy Scouts. Now there is a good reason to get a lathe. Pen turning would be a great project.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

You know, the last requirement can be satisfied by turning something that is duplicated on a lathe. I think that means that the merit badge councelor need to have a lathe. Yes, I am sure that is what is intended in the merit badge book . . .

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

: ^ )

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Well, you’re starting them off right, with good tools and good training!

-- surplusdealdude

Congratulations on the field day David. It looks like it was a success, and they all produced some great bird houses.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Surplusdealdude & Bill -

Thanks! It was indeed a great “field day”. I hope we inspired a woodworker or two in the bunch.

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

I am sure you did David. Are they going to use the birdhouses for fund raisers (like Dick said he did) or simply to take home for their own? Woodworking projects might be something worthwhile for their fund raisers. If nothing else, they could donate them to senior citizens and others so they can share in the bird watching.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

As a former Scoutmaster, Bravo! I have always enjoyed working with the boys in our troop. I will probably start a WW merit badge this fall. Due to the size of my shop and my equipment, I will only have about 2-3 boys at a time. I think that is a good number run, too many and you can’t keep an eye on them when they are working on the power tools. I am a big supporter of Scouting. It is the only thing a young man can earn before he is 18 and put on a resume for the rest of his life and make a real difference. I have several friends that work in the Gov and many High Power Gov. Contractors and they all look for that on the resumes. Two of them include that in thier first cut along with Veterans.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

Greg -

Bravo for your comments! I agree 100%. I am sure having Eagle on my resume has helped!

Also, 2-4 boys is max (at least for me!) for safety, as well as, quality engagement.

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Great story, David. And what a joy it must be to contribute to the formation of these young men. I expect this will be a day that they look back on for the rest of their lives with great fondness. Congratulations – I’m sure that you found this equally rewarding.

Also Mate, what a great way to get your shop tools sharpened! LOL

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

Don -

Thanks! I got a nice email from one of the boys so I know it was a success. It was a very rewarding experience for me. Very “sharp” of you to pick up on how I am getting tools sharpened in the shop!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Yeah. Boy scouts look to be cheaper than a Tormek and they are cookie powered. Are they considered a green energy source?

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

another item for our “how to get a new tool” list … help with the Badge.

My hat’s off to you – and to the boys. (and the cookie master).

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I’m proud of you David,
This is a great posting, those boys will never forget what you did for them.

Looking at your camporee reminded me of my stay at Scout camp in 1947.
Here’s a picture of the lean-to tents we had. That Buckskin hanging on the front was an award for best tent of the week.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

1947 ah yes, I remember it well. (just teasing)
This is a wonderful photo of a wonderful memory Dick.
Yes, David, according to this, you have created such a memory for these lads.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Dick -

Awesome! I greatly appreciate your 1947 Camporee photo – I will share that with the boys.
Where was your camporee held?

Debbie -

Thanks! I think the boys could use a pyrography lesson . . . ? Canadian field trip!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

That was at our local Boy Scout Camp Wichinigen, on a lake outside of Hibbing, MN. They would hold camp there every summer. The Scouts would spend a week or 2 at time. I think it was open about 2 months, each summer.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Dick -

Thanks! I am going to share that info with the boys and our scoutmaster. Very inspirational!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

David,

Each opportunity with a child may make a difference. Some of the boys may not get involved with woodworking right now, but they may in the years to come . They may look back on this experience and get involved because of that exposure.

I think a lot of adults would like to work with your tools in your shop and they still have Led Zeppelin tee shirts to wear to fit in with the younger crowd!

-- WaywardHoosier - Behind schedule and over budget, but who's counting?

Looks like you had a great time with the kids David. Keep up the great work for those kids!

-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,

sounds like I’m going to be having lots of company—Tom to watch me work, and the boys to have a Scout fieldtrip!! Woo hoo.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

With your help, they will be LumberJocks…Heck!, they are LumberJocks already. They enjoy woodworking. Tell’em to sign up and to keep up the good work.

-- Jesus is Lord!

Mark -

You are right – they are LumberJocks!

PanamaJack & Debbie -

Thanks!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com