BSA folks - Possible Woodturning MB

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hewunch

hewunch

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Aug 5, 2008
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Albany, GA
Just got back with my son and his troop from summer camp. I knew I would have some free time, so in hopes that I might could work on an order I have I brought my lathe. Well, Friday I got to pull it out and work on some stuff. And I am sure as some of you have experienced, people started to gather and wonder what I was doing. Several were VERY interested.

So I did some research and discovered that only one Merit Badge has any requirement that uses a lathe and it is to make a project with matching spindles. Which as we all know here is just a wink an a nod to turning.

So call me ambitious, but I am going to work up something for a woodturning merit badge in hopes of it either becoming a badge or at least getting some added requirements (or optional requirements) to the woodworking merit badge.

Now why am I telling you this? The process seems to be somewhat popularity based. Thus, if there is a ground swell for a badge it is more likely to make it through than if one is just submitted. So here is what I am thinking.

1. I need folks who are scouters, former scouters or family members of scouters who would write a letter extolling the need for such a badge. I would get you the address and contact info at a future date. Now this group needs to be as big as we can get it. So it means talking with clubs, stores that sell woodworking products, and other boards etc.

2. I need a small group of people that I can bounce the requirements off of. To do this, you would need to be familiar with how requirements are written for other merit badges (I am thinking a fairly involved scouter).

Thanks in advance for all your help!
Hans
 
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Send me the info when you get it. I was a Cub Scout leader when my son was in it. My daughter is a Brownie Girl Scout now as well.
 
Thanks Don! I hope to have the contact info within the next few days. I hope to have a rough requirement outline in the next week.
 
hewunch said:
Super Ryan! Do you agree that it would be a great badge to offer?
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it would be a great badge to offer. I was fortunate enough to work in my grandfathers shop everytime i went over from when i could walk until he passed. I think this benefited me because most of the scouts i know except for the ones who's fathers are handy have no idea how to work tools and they are afraid of them. Being afraid of a tool is when something bad is going to happen. A badge like this would open their eyes and let them explore a whole area that they would not otherwise be exposed to. Exposing scouts to power tools and all is a great thing... they are in the early 20th century with the no scouts can use power tools rule... lets face it hand tools are obsolete now. This will also promote our society switching from pick up the phone and call some one to fix it when it breaks to let me try to fix it first.
 
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