Bill Smith's Sunset Trail Cub Scout Rountable

Bill Smith's Unofficial Cub Scout Roundtable A compendium of Ideas For Cubmasters, Den Leaders and those who help them.
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Webelos
Handyman Activity Badge

The Handyman activity badge is designed to help teach the Webelos about home and automobile repairs and maintenance. This is a good opportunity to instill responsibility on how to care of their most expensive future purchases.

HANDYMAN REQUIREMENTS
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Last Update: 2/6/04

CAREERS/SPEAKERS

Auto mechanic,
refrigerator repairman,
any servicing or repair type job,
factory worker,
bike shop manager.

Handyman is one of the easiest and flexible activities in the Webelos program. There are fourteen requirements from which the Den can choose a minimum of six and these can be selected on the basis of aptitude and availability.

It can be worked for the month set in the Webelos calendar, or it can be done in fewer meetings, if the Den Meetings are prepared and organized.

Plan on doing more than the minimum number of requirements. The added exposure adds value, and if a Scout is shaky doing one activity, he'll have an opportunity to do other activities more confidently and feel better about earning Handyman.

Activities

DEN MEETING FUN

At a hardware store, visit the repair shop, and acquaint the Scouts with a few specific and varied sections in the store, like electrical supplies and hand tools. Look for ideas on how to set up a storage area for garden tools and hand tools.
Arrange a presentation at a well equipped home workshop. Observing the use of various power tools. Talk about the safety precautions in a shop.
Build a sawhorse.
Arrange for a local mechanic to visit your Den or visit his garage, perhaps he can show your Den the safe way to change a tire, light bulb and to check the oil and transmission fluid.
Invite someone for the local bicycling club to tell about the upcoming trips. Learn about the kinds of bicycles that are used. Put on a bicycle rodeo for your pack or Den.
Check with the local fire marshal or poison control center to find out how to store household cleaners and materials that will be safe from small children.
Visit a service station. Ask an auto mechanic to show the different types of equipment they use. Watch a demonstration of preventative maintenance.
Visit a paint store and watch how colors are mixed. Look at the variety of brushes and the types of paint. Pick out a new color for your house and the trim.

PROJECTS

Leaking Faucet

A leaking faucet is usually due to a defective washer and is a problem that can easily and quickly be resolved.
Shut off the water! If there isn't a valve under or near the sink, turn off the main supply valve.
Unscrew cap nut of faucet.
Using a flat wrench, unscrew nut on faucet and pull out stem assembly. (Cloth or cardboard under wrench jaws prevents scratching.)
Remove screw on stem assembly, pry out old, worn washer, wipe out grime and put in new washer.
Replace screw and reassemble faucet.
Turn water back on.

Check the garage or storage shed in your house to ascertain the tools or implements are properly and safely stored.
Have a clinic on the care and repair of bicycles. Set it up like a shop and have each boy bring his bike and do repairs.
Have Webelos bring tools to a Den Meeting and demonstrate different ways to mark them.
Hold a nail hammering contest. See who can hammer a nail in the fewest number of strokes.
Have a family car inspection.

Heart of America Council

REPAIRMAN OPENING One Webelos stands in front of the group. His hair is messed up and his face is dirty. His shirttail is pulled out in a messy way. He has a pronounced frown on his face and stands all slouched over. The Den Chief comes and stands beside him and says the following: "This Webelos is in need of repair and I think I have just the tools to do the job."
He picks up a hammer to which a sign has been attached, "Do My Best," and pretends to hammer the boy. The Webelos tucks in his shirt and stands a little straighter.
Next the Den Chief picks up a screwdriver with the sign, "Do My Duty," and pretends to use it. The Webelos combs his hair and stands taller.
Next the Den Chief picks up the pliers which has a sign, "God and Country," and pretends to use it. The Webelos stands at attention and salutes the flag.
Next the Den Chief uses a saw which says, "Help Other People," and the Webelos washes his face.
Finally the Den Chief uses a plane labeled "Law of the Pack," and the Webelos puts on his biggest smile.
Den Chief says, "Now this Cub Scout is really in good shape! Please join us in repeating the Cub Scout Promise."

ORDER OF THE CROSSED BOLTS After completing Handyman your boys qualify for the Order of the Crossed Bolts. This is an old order from way, way, way back. In fact, this order is so seldom given that no one really knows how old it is. Anyway, you will need:
Two 2 1/2 bolts
One nut for the end of each bolt
Small, single strand wire

Screw the nuts onto the bolts a couple of turns. Put a drop of hot glue on the end of the bolt and turn the nut back onto the glue.

Lay the bolts on top of the other and form an "X".

Form a loop about the size of a quarter with the wire. Twist the ends together. With the remaining wire of the loop tie the bolts together. This should yield a slide with a loop in the rear and the two "Crossed Bolt" in the front.

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**Applauses**
Hammer: Pretend to put a nail on the wall and hit it three times. The yell "Owwwww!" and shake your hand.
	Hydraulics: Move hand up slowly with pumping action. Then let it go limp. Do again.

Bike Rodeo Invite the Webelos to bring their bicycles to the next den meeting. First, have a safety inspection. Then learn how to change tires. See the Cub Scout How-To book for ideas on bike rodeo activities.

BICYCLE MAINTENANCE Purpose: To familiarize scouts with basic bicycle maintenance and adjustments. To acquaint the scouts with the pride and satisfaction associated with being able to personally take care of one's property. To build the can-do spirit.

Tighten chain, adjust saddle and handle bars

Lubricate chain crank

Check tire pressure

Inflate tire (empty first)

How to determine proper tire pressure

Every Saturday:

Give it the air!

Pump tires to the recommended pressure:

Balloon 22 to 35 lbs.; lightweight 50 lbs.; single tube 40 lbs.

Every Memorial Day and Labor Day

Is your chain a daisy?

It won't be unless you dunk it in oil, let it drain overnight, blot and apply graphite.

Skip the dunk, if you're lazy, and squirt oil on the chain without taking it off the sprockets. If it crackles and squeaks, oil it more often than twice a year. A good chain should be seen, not heard.

Clean and re-grease the crank bearings.

Don't be a poor peddler! Squirt oil into the inner ends of the pedals. Spin them now and then. If they don't spin quietly, oil them more often or repack with grease.

GAMES
Divide the den into two teams. Have two laundry bags of household items at the front of the teams. Place an empty grocery sack at the end. Begin by having the first boy pull out one item and pass it on. When the item is deposited into the grocery sack, the end boy yells, "Next." Continue until all items are passed. Let the boys think that the object of the game is to be the first to empty their laundry bag and fill the grocery sack.
Take the bags away and give each boy a piece of paper. They have two minutes to write down what objects they remember passing.

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