AUSTRALIAN CUB SCOUT
GOLD BOOMERANG REQUIREMENTS

Part 3 – Making a Gadget

There are several suitable items that can be made by cubs for this requirement of the Gold Boomerang. Some that we have made or that others have suggested to me are....

CRAFT IDEAS
a photo framed in a timber lashed frame – using knots and lashings. Laminate a photo for each cub, then Lash together a frame from sticks, and “zig-zig” to lash the laminated picture into the frame. It can then have a hanging string or a stand added as well.
one of the easiest to make is a coat hanger. Using 3 sticks, (eg. 1 about 35cm, and 2 about 20cm long), lash them together in a triangle like a coathanger, then add a wire hook (or maybe a loop of string?) to the top to enable it to be hung.
(No, the sample in the picture is not lashed)
Try making this weather indicator which is a fun and simple to make item.
ACTIVITY IDEAS
Using either lengths of timber or carefully selected bush sticks, create ballistas (in teams/sixes). Once made, the opposing teams can have the chance to try to hit either a target, or the other team (depending on whether you fire balls or water balloons). There are several designs available on the 'net, choose the one that suits you.
A fairly simple item is a "wash-up dish" stand. Lash 3 sticks using a round lashing, then spread them open like a tripod. Support sticks can be added as shown in the pic, or rope can be tied in a similar manner to stop the tripod from collapsing. This is a particularly effective item to have the cubs make when camping, as they get to use the gadget they have made.
A moon-walker not only gives the cubs an interesting gadget to make with a fun use, but also requires them to practice cooperation to enable it to be used. If each six makes one, they can then "compete" to have each member of the six walk it across a set distance like a relay.

 

© 2010 Ian Moggs - rights are given for copying and printing for personal use or use in cub-scout or similar groups.