WEBELOS

Please remember what I present here in Baloo’s Bugle for Webelos badges is meant to supplement your other resources – Webelos Leader Book, Webelos Scout Book, CS Program Helps, Roundtables, Pow Wow.  I try to give you new ideas for some of the projects.  I do not try and give you everything you need to complete the badge. 

And speaking of new ideas – Webelos badge sis one area where I definitely need help.  If you have tried something new and wish to share it – please send it to me.  Thank you Commissioner Dave

OUTDOORSMAN

Circle Ten Council

Webelos Scouting is the bridge between Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting. The Outdoorsman activity badge is the pier that supports that bridge. In this badge, the Webelos Scout will receive a preview of the fun he will have in Boy Scouting. The best way to work on this badge is by doing a Webelos overnight campout. This is not a full-fledged Scout campout, but a taste of what is to come when a boy joins a Scout troop. After a boy becomes a scout, he will become proficient at handling himself in the woods. As a Webelos scout, he is not expected to master these skills.

PERSONAL CAMPING GEAR

You can check off your needs on the five fingers of one hand: sleeping, eating, being clean, being prepared, extras.

SLEEPING

You want to sleep well. To do this you must be warm. For your first overnight camp, one to three blankets will do. Eventually you will want a sleeping bag. Before you buy one, ask the advice of those who have been camping. Buy the best sleeping bag you can afford. A bag filled with polyester fiberfill is good. Down is better. If the winters are severe, buy a winter weight bag. Open it up for summer use. You also want to be comfortable. Many campers use a shoulder to hip length polyurethane pad. Others like an air mattress. You place it on top of a plastic ground sheet. For nightwear bring pajamas.

EATING

You want to eat. Here you’ll need an eating kit or separate knife, fork, and spoon. As well as a plate, cup, bowl, or a one man cook kit that includes all three.

BEING CLEAN

Bring soap in a plastic container, washcloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, comb and metal mirror, hand towel. Perhaps a plastic washbasin.

BEING PREPARED

Put in your pack a flashlight and a small individual supply of toilet paper wrapped in plastic. When you are not wearing them, outer clothing items go into your pack.

EXTRAS

You may want to take with you the Bible or prayer book of your faith. Plus a few favorite items you just can’t do without. Just remember not electronic games; boom boxes are camping to enjoy nature not to disrupt it.

KNIFE SAFETY

Facts every boy should know about knives:

ü       A dull knife doesn’t work and is, in fact dangerous.

ü       Dull blades cut more fingers than sharp ones.

ü       A camper should always carry a small sharpening stone in his pocket along with his knife. The knife and stone are partners and belong together.

ü       A sharpening stone is called a whetstone. One measuring 3” by ¾ “ is large enough to use and small enough to carry easily.

ü       A whetstone using water is more practical in camp then one using oil.

ü       Whetstones are made to provide a grinding surface. Fine stones are for knives while coarse stones are for axes.

POCKET KNIFE SAFETY CIRCLE

A pocket knife safety circle is similar to an axe yard only smaller and on an individual level. To establish a safety circle, grasp a CLOSED pocket knife in your hand, extend your arm and with the closed knife straight in front of you, rotate body to either side while continuing to extend the closed knife arm. No one or thing should be within this imaginary circle you have created. Also check your overhead clearance, as this is part of your safety circle.

A TYPICAL KNIFE

A pocketknife should have a good stout blade at least 3 ½” long. Here is a close up view of a typical knife:

You may wish to copy this next one and enlarge it CD

 
EASY CARVING/ WHITTLING

An easy way to teach boys to carve is by carving soap into a simple design. Fresh soap, especially Ivory soap which is ideal, may be too soft and crumble. To prevent crumbling open the soap up and let in air for about 5  - 10 minutes. These could be done will you explain the rules of using a knife to the boys.  See, also, hint under “Whittlin’ Chit” in Den and Pack Activities. CD

Whittle away from you (until you are an expert)! Be sure that nothing (your leg, another camper, branches etc) are in the way of the sweep of your knife.

KNOTS

Knots are a very important part of Scouting. Begin now to learn them. Its lots of fun and you can make a display of those you have done. Put them on a wooden board, name them and frame the board for a permanent display.

These knot pictures may be better if you copy and enlarge them.  CD

SQUARE KNOTS

This knot is used for joining two ends of a rope or string of approximately the same size or thickness. Use it to tie up a bundle or a bandage, to mend a shoestring, or to make a long rope from several small pieces.

SHEET BEND

When you have two ropes that are not of the same thickness, a square knot will not hold them, but if you will give the square knot an extra twist, it will become a sheet bend, and will hold. This is one of several ways to make a sheet bend knot.

BOWLINE

Use this when you want a loop in the end of a rope. This loop will not pull tight, but will remain the size you made it. Use it to slip over a peg, or hook, or make the knot itself around a post or pole. It’s sometimes called the rescue knot.

MAKE A COMPASS

The face of the compass may be cut from ¼” plywood, ½” plywood, or ½” pine. The markings for the dial may then be applied with dark crayon, paint, or wood burning.

The needle for the compass consist of two 1 ½” darning needles which have been magnetized by drawing a magnet over them in ONE DIRECTION ONLY from eye to point. The two darning needles are then inserted in opposite sides of a piece of cork ¼” high and ½” in diameter, as illustrated.

The needle assembly is suspended by means of a lower portion of a leather rivet, which is inserted in the bottom of the cork disk as illustrated in drawing. Leather rivets of this type can be purchased inexpensively at most hardware or variety stores. A small nail that will not bend when inserted in the rivet is placed in the center of the compass dial, and the head is clipped off so that the nail extends approximately 3/8” above the wood surface. The protruding end of the nail should be rounded with a metal file to permit the needle assembly to swing freely.

After the wood block has been given a finishing coat of shellac or clear varnish and has dried thoroughly, the needle may be mounted on the nail. The compass needle will point North. Then carefully turn the block until the needle is in line with the point on the compass dial marked “N”.

SOME SAFETY RULES FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Always have as first aid kit handy. If possible, have an adult trained in first aid and CPR attend pack functions.

Remember that adequate leadership and supervision help prevent accidents. Encourage boys to pair up in buddies to be aware of each other’s whereabouts at all times.

Have a plan for personal or natural emergencies (such as lighting storms, high winds etc.), which may occur during an outdoor activity. Know where emergency care can be obtained quickly. If possible, check out the location in advance for hazards.

Avoid such dangers as buildings in disrepair or under construction, fire hazards, stinging insects, poison plants, too-rough sports or games for age and size of boys. Accidents can be prevented.

Select a well-identified gathering place in the event the group is separated.

Always supervise when Cub Scouts are building fires and cooking. If the den is using a ground fire, clear a space 10 feet in diameter of all burnable materials. Stay away from low hanging branches. Use of chemical or liquid must be limited to adults.

HAND WASHING

If running tap water is not available a simple hand-washing unit can be made from a plastic jug and a wooden dowel or twig. Make a small hole near the bottom of the jug. Use the twig or dowel to plug up the hole once you’ve filled the jug with water (a golf tee works very well). Place a bar of biodegradable soap in an old pantyhose leg and tie this to the handle of the jug. Now hang one of these hand-washing units near the kitchen. For better water flow, remove the cap from the jug.