Boy Scout Merit Badge

[BobD]

Hi everyone,
I just got roped in to teaching the wood working and wood carving merit badge for a scout troop (one of my co-workers is a leader) Anyone done this yet? Any good teaching tips? We're planning on holding the classes at the shop we have here in the office...

Bob

[AlArchie]

Bob, I was the handicraft director oa Tesomas scout Camp in Rhinelander wis. and then the camp director at same...email me and I will get back to you with the details.....I also taught the Woodcarving MB at out local level and am on of the woodcarving MB advisors in the local council

aarchie@myvine.com

al

[Kenny_S]

Yes, I taught wood carving to Boy Scouts for many many years and gave knife safety to Cubs, Boys and Girl Scouts. I also gave knife safety and taught youngsters from age 5 years to adults in the SOS_SOS( Seasoned outdoor Sportman-Share outdoor Skills in Northeast OK.Only one who ever got cut was me. Some teacher eh?

[AlArchie]

Bob, I emailed you with this information, but will add it here, as I don't know if you check that address regulrly..

Bob, here's a few tips on that Woodcarving Merit Badge.

First...a couple patterns, for the carving in the round and demonstrating the different cuts. I use two , one for practice and getting the boys to use the required cuts. This is what's called a five minute owl, and can be found at http://www.mindspring.com/~chipps96/club-owl.htm. If this doesn't work, let me know and I'll send you the pattern and instructions, but I'd rather not copy some one else's pattern without their permission. Next pattern is on L.S. Irish's site and is called 'pumpkinseed fish decoy' I cut out the blanks of all the parts and put them together as a kit for the boys to carve, assemble and finish. http://www.carvingpatterns.com/fishdecoy.htm

Second.....for the relief carving...we have used this both at camp and at our troop meeting. Most of these kids are in the 11-12 year age group, and need something pretty simple, so I have them take a 3'x5' pine or basswood block and draw their initials, name, 'DAD', 'MOM' or whateber on it in block letters, then either cut away the back ground or incise and remove the letters from the block. Either way serves as an example of relief carving. Some of the guys got quite creative with this and others used very simple designs. Remember this is an intoroduction to woodcarving and it's usually the younger scouts who take this badge.

A roll of duct tape will serve as thumb guards.....cut strips and wrap everyone's thumbs, unless you have a ready supply of thumb guards.....I also had them bring a leather or heavy canvas glove for their 'holding hand'.. had a few minor nicks, but notheing worth worrying about.

Check with Rick Ferry to get a supply of Murphy knives....he gave us a good price a few years back on his Murphys, and they came sharpened, ready to go. I also had our troop members bring a simple pocket knife and taught them to properly sharpen it and then used that for the projects.....even the relief worked pretty well but I did have gouges ready for them to finish the rmoval of the background. I picked up three sets of cheap Chinese gouges at our local Ben Franklin store for around 6 bucks a set. I know, those are pretty junky, but they have decent steel, and I spent about an hour regrinding, honing and stropping the sets to get them to a suitable condition. The troop now has several sets for futeure use, and no great expenditure. You have to reinforce the concept of buying good tools to these kids, and it's a good idea to have a couple of the gouges left as they come from the box to show how improperly sharpened tools are a turn-off!

If I can give you ny further let me know.

Al

[BobD]

Thanks Al,
Got your message, but the information is great to add to the site too!
Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Kind of off topic but noticed the duct tape thumb guard remark....good old duct tape! lol, but a good thumb guard (if it hasn't been mentioned here before) is the self adhesive stretch bandage material they use now..its cheap, something like about 3.00 for 30 yards I think, it sticks to itself and not you so you can take it off and reuse it....works good....

[BobD]

That's my guard of choice!. I have these long thin fingers and could never find guards that are comfortable. Now I use the bandage tape and make my own. As I cut through a section, I wrap more tape around it.

[Kenny_S]

Ala has some great tips! I used the simple cowboy boot as it has the stop cuts included. Initals were used for the relief carving. Simple. Scout were taught thumb placement as if the thumb id placed correctly, no cuts. however, duct tape was agreat thumb and finger protection. The five minute Owl will take some many days to complete. No joke. Some did not complete their projects as some were really slow in understanding how to carve. Also some carved till they had a pile of chips and no project. Hop this has helped.

BTW, some will want to start an advanced project also.