The Donut Neckerchief Slide ~ How to make Neckerchief Slide Molds with Clay & Silicone

The Donut Neckerchief Slide

Submitted by John Patten ~ Cubmaster of Pack 1476, Hobble Creek District, Utah National Parks Council

patt253@mac.com

Stuff You Need

1 tube of 100% silicone caulking (not fast drying)

A medium-sized mixing bowl

4 cups of water

1/4 cup ordinary dish soap

A small chocolate donut (like a Hostess Donette)

A cup with a diameter larger than the donut

Oven-bake clay—tan, brown, white (a package of Bake Shop Sculpey costs $1 at Walmart & makes 2-3 slides)

Small metal rings

A cookie sheet

Glue

Acrylic spray

Make the Mold (done by the adult leader)

Mix the water and dish soap in the bowl.  The glycerin in the soap acts as a catalyst that enables the silicone to fully set up.

Squirt the silicone into the soapy water (5 ounces should be plenty).

With your fingers in the bowl, mold the “snake” of silicone into a ball.  Continue to knead it till you sense it begins to set (this should be about a minute).

Lift the ball out of the water and shake off.

With the ball in one hand, push the donut into it with the other, ensuring that some silicone goes into the hole to the halfway point.

Place the ball of silicone and the donut into the container.  Push the donut down to the halfway point.  Level the silicone around the edges so that the silicone isn’t higher on one side than the other.

Let it cure for several hours (I did mine at night and left it over night).

Once fully cured, remove the donut from the silicone and the silicone from the container and wipe the mold with a paper towel.

Duplicate and Decorate

The clay must be kneaded till soft.  There are four parts of clay per package of Bake Shop Sculpey.  I used about 1.5 parts for each donut.

After the clay is soft and pliable, roll it into a chunky snake 4-5 inches long, connect the ends into an “O,” and smooth out the seam.

Put the “O” into the mold and push down till the clay spreads out to all parts of the mold.

Remove the clay from the mold, flexing the mold if needed.  Smooth cracks and bumps.

Bake, Finish, Wear (and Salivate)

Consider adding other features if desired, such as frosting (white clay) and sprinkles (colored bits of clay or actual sprinkles).

To create a loop behind the donut, use a metal ring, such as the inexpensive adjustable ones available at Partyland.  At this point, I used a tool to push the clay snug to the ring so there wasn’t much space there.

Bake facedown following instructions on the package.

Once cooled, add a touch of glue to where the ring goes into the donut (for stability and strength), then coat the donut with acrylic spray for a glossy look.

Cubmaster Minute

Who invented the donut?  There might be more than one explanation, but likely the creator was 16-year-old Hanson Gregory, an American boy who helped in the kitchen of lime-trading ships in 1847.  What made him think of punching a hole in the middle of bread dough before it was fried?  Several of the crew were disappointed that the fried bread was uncooked in the center.  One day, Hanson cut a hole in some dough with the top of a peppershaker—“the first doughnut hole ever seen by mortal eyes,” he would later say.  The problem was solved and the donut was born! (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doughnut)

Think about that—he saw a problem, then came up with a solution that nobody had thought of before.  One of the purposes of Cub Scouting is Personal Achievement.  This means that you do great things.  Sometimes opportunities to do great things happen when you see a problem and come up with your own unique solution.  You will have chances to make a difference in your family, with your friends, and at your jobs because you will think of solutions that nobody else will.  This is the lesson of the donut.

• CLICK HERE to print a PDF explaining how to make this project
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• CLICK HERE to see more neckerchief slide ideas
• CLICK HERE to see more cubmaster minutes
• CLICK HERE to see more posts on making molds

** PLEASE do not download these files and email or send them digitally to others.  These are for your personal use only.  If you would like to share these files with others, please copy the link to this post and send them to our site so they can print off their own.  We would love to have everyone that would like a copy to come here to print their own off absolutely free.  We receive money to keep our website open where we store all of our documents and PDF files by people visiting our blog.  Please don't take money out of our pockets by bypassing our blog.

How to Make and Pour Plaster Neckerchief Slides for your Cub Scouts

How to make and pour plaster neckerchief slides for your Cub Scouts...




Thanks to Felice Sanchez Clements for doing a video for us. She is Cubmaster in the Hobble Creek District Community Pack 1456, Utah National Parks Council.

• To see the handout on how to pour slides, CLICK HERE
• To see other neckerchief slide ideas, CLICK HERE

** PLEASE do not download these files and email or send them digitally to others.  These are for your personal use only.  If you would like to share these files with others, please copy the link to this post and send them to our site so they can print off their own.  We would love to have everyone that would like a copy to come here to print their own off absolutely free.  We receive money to keep our website open where we store all of our documents and PDF files by people visiting our blog.  Please don't take money out of our pockets by bypassing our blog.

Akela's Council - Have you been yet? Cub Scout Leader Training similar to Woodbadge, but perfect for Cub Scout Leaders

This article can be found here: http://blog.utahscouts.org/cub-scouting/akelas-council-have-you-been-yet/

Akela’s Council – Have you been yet?

Have you heard of Akela’s Council?  Have you been to Akela’s Council?  Do you know a Cub Scout leader who would benefit from attending this great training?

WHAT Is Akela’s Council?

This is an exciting 3 1/2 day Cub Scout Leader Training for those who want to have a better understanding of the Cub Scout Program and how to create the best possible Scouting experience for the boys and families in their packs. This fast-paced, hands-on training covers all recent changes in the Cub Scouting program and will inspire you to want to  “Do Your Best”.

What others have said:

Here are a few articles we have had from a few different Cub Scout Leaders and their personal experiences with Akela’s Council.

• How Akela’s Council Changed My Mind About Cub Scouting
• Generations of Cub Scouting and Akela’s Council
• Why I Went to Akela’s Council “Back Then” and Why I Go Now
• Akela’s Council Helped Fix My Pack!
• Akela’s Council; The BEST Cub Scout Leader Training Ever!
• Find YOUR Scouting Spirit at Akela’s Council

The one thing that they all have in common is that Akela’s Council is great and well worth the time and money to attend. It is hands-down the best training for Cub Scout leaders and it was created right here in the Utah National Parks Council.

WHEN is Akela’s Council?

In 2017 there will be 2 courses and registration is open now!

Akela’s Council 34 

April 28-29 & May 4-6, 2017 

at Camp Maple Dell

in Payson Canyon.

OR

Akela’s Council 35 

September 13-16, 2017

at Tifie Scout Camp

near Mt. Pleasant.

You can get more information or register online at utahscouts.org

HOW did Akela’s Council start?

“Brief History of Akela’s Council

Written by Jeannette Jensen Cubmaster of AC-9

In 1984, the Utah National Parks Council Cub Scout Committee decided there was a need to have further training for the Cub Scout Leaders in the Utah National Parks Council. A committee was formed to decide what was needed. They wrote and rewrote and revised and rewrote many different classes for leaders to learn the Cub Scout program to its fullest extent.

In May of 1987, the first course was held at Camp Maple Dell with 28 participants. It was 4 1/2 days long. Every night at staff meeting the staff would revise the program again to make it work for the participants.

It was because of these pioneers of the program that the course was successful. After each course, there were a few changes to help the program fill the needs of future leaders. When new programs were developed by national BSA, they were incorporated into the program.

Not only did participants learn more than they ever dreamed, they also came away with a deeper conviction to the program and friendships to last a lifetime.

The program has proven itself over and over. It has survived through snow, wind, rain, hail, and fire. It will survive for many years to come because of the need for all leaders to have a further training, and because of the dedication of those first leaders who had the intuition to do what was needed to make the Cub Scout Program work for the boys.”

WHERE to find more information:

AkelasCouncil.com has information about past courses, upcoming courses, history and a list of things you will learn at Akela’s Council.  It also has a link to its own blog with lots of craft and other great Cub Scouting ideas.

UNPC Council Website has information on the upcoming courses including who to contact for more information, how to register and even how to get to camp.

If you would like to talk to someone personally about Akela’s Council they will have a booth at the upcoming University of Scouting (Feb 18, 2017) with fun ideas, prizes and information too.

Akela’s Council is great!

Author: Annaleis Smith has been a Cub Scout leader for over 13 years.  She first attended Akela’s Council in 2007 (AC23) and was on staff for a number of years after that.  She was the Cubmaster/Course Director for AC31 in Sept of 2015.  Having been to A LOT of different trainings, AC is her very favorite!

Scouters Minute ~ Tomb of Unknown Soldier ~ Cubmaster Minute ~ Loyal

SCOUTER'S MINUTE
We know that a Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation. To end tonight, I want to focus on being loyal to his nation. One of the greatest examples of loyalty to nation can be witnessed in a cemetery.

Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God

This inscription is found on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The Tomb Guards are so loyal that there has been a guard there every minute, of every day since July 1st, 1937. This includes during times of war, the September 11th attacks, and natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy. All precautions are taken to ensure mission accomplishment and soldier welfare at all times.

Each move made during the changing of the guard and during their “walk” is very specific, choreographed, and done in respect for those they are guarding. The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the sentinel executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed -- the 21-gun salute. Depending on the time of year, the guard is changed every 30 or 60 minutes.

The soldiers who are serve as sentinels for the Tomb, display loyalty in a way that, although we do not ask our Scouts to replicate, they can still emulate by showing loyalty to our country through respectful and well executed flag ceremonies and other events that honor our nation.

Minion Neckerchief Slide Made out of a Milk Jug Lid

Thanks to Felice Clements for donating this idea. She is Cubmaster in the Hobble Creek District Community Pack 1456, Utah National Parks Council.

Who doesn't love minions, well, for you Cub Scout leaders try on this fun and simple neckerchief slide.

All I used was a yellow milk cap that I poured plaster into the back and put a party favor wedding ring in, I let it set for about a day.

Along with the yellow milk cap, I used a big googlie eye that I bought in a variety package from Dollar Tree, and then 2 thin strips of black fun foam. I hot glued the eyeball down where I wanted it, and then glued each piece of fun foam, gluing from the eyeball back, and trimming any excess away! Done! 

Get your boys excited about uniforming!!!! Neckerchief slides can be one way to do that!

Mid-year Cub Scout program updates to print / cut / and tape into books

Not sure what to do until they print new books with the new requirements?  I just had to repost this great article that I found about the updates to the new program.  The entire article can be found here... https://bobwhiteblather.com/mid-year-cub-scout-program-updates/

If you follow Scouting Magazine on social media, you might have heard about some updates to the Cub Scout Adventure program that were announced last week.

The BSA Advancement Team found that, after the Adventure program was introduced last year, there has been a decline in the number of Cub Scouts advancing. As advancement and re-registration numbers start to appear, it has become apparent that an alarmingly low number of Cub Scouts completed their rank requirements last year.

To read the rest of the article, click the link above.

In the comments below the article, Cubmaster Tom says, "In response to the BSA’s just-announced modifications to the Cub Scouting program, I’ve put the changes into a format that allows you to print/cut/tape the new requirements for your rank on the photo page in the front of each adventure in your Scouts’ handbooks. Please feel free to use and share these links with your Packs and Scouting networks."  

Tigers: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ka_AkwxDkKgNjLrAOUHzbQQqCkruDCC8RyxtMFvrFO8/edit?usp=sharing

Wolves: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11cGQ10UyxOMMhwRgrfdKhResEtFiobbcB0NmVrX-G5w/edit?usp=sharing

Bears: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QQ1VNYBblinHEQzvqtDMSAS1nVKommIUoCqd8ARhz_g/edit?usp=sharing

Webelos & Arrow of Light: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11HUfleBm9IfPetMtdtD64XWLrhV0nDNu35vqBEbZb14/edit?usp=sharing

I hope this is useful!

Bear Cub Scout Tracking Sheet - Printable

A special thank you to Celeste Hunt from Pack 1781 in Washington, Utah in the Zion District of Utah National Parks Council for making this amazing tracking sheet and donating it to us.

Tracking, planning, and recognition are so important in Cub Scouts.  This new tracking sheet will help you be able to keep track of where each boy is at towards the Bear, Adventures, and Cyber Chip requirements.  I like to print this tracking sheet on cardstock, and I print one sheet for each boy to be kept in my leader binder next to their tracking sheet for their Religious Award, and any other awards we have worked on.  I keep a different tab for every boy with all the tracking sheets (Age Group & Religious Award).  Then I have complete information on each boy.  It helps to do it this way if you do one requirement one week and a different one other weeks.  Not every boy is there every week.  By doing this, I can always know where each boy is at, and it is all in one place.  I keep a roll, and next to the roll I write down what we did that week, and then every couple of weeks I update all the tracking sheets for every boy.  If the parents ever have questions, I always have a place to look back at on the roll, and I can always copy each tracking sheet to show them where their boy is.




** PLEASE do not download these files and email or send them digitally to others.  These are for your personal use only.  If you would like to share these files with others, please copy the link to this post and send them to our site so they can print off their own.  We would love to have everyone that would like a copy to come here to print their own off absolutely free.  We receive money to keep our website open where we store all of our documents and PDF files by people visiting our blog.  Please don't take money out of our pockets by bypassing our blog.  Please help us keep all of this information free.

• To print this NEW for 2017 - Original Bear Tracking Sheet, CLICK HERE 
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• To print the Faith in God Tracking Sheet, CLICK HERE
• To see other Bear Tracking Sheets, CLICK HERE
• To see all the Tracking Sheets, CLICK HERE