Research and developmentNew resources for

the Scientist Badge

Going globalA programme on a plate with

an international fl avour

£500 FOR YOUR PACK

WIN The magazine for Cub Scout Leaders

December 2008/January 2009

Find out what Cubs really think of your activities

Find out what Cubs really think of your activitiesTHE YOUNG ONES

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3scouts.org.uk/pol

Intro

Round-up

Contents 4 Sons and daughters

A Scout reveals his favourite Cub

activities

8 POPGoing global with this issue’s

programme on a plate

10 The science of funEvents to experiment at and

help your Cubs gain their

Scientist Badge

11 CompetitionWin £500 for your Pack

12 Break the mouldCasting footprints

and animal tracks

Cub Scouting has been growing for the last three years, and it’s up to all of us

to keep it that way, writes Graeme Hamilton

Our aim is to sustain the current growth of the Cub Scout section. One of the

biggest component parts is ensuring that we retain our adult leaders, that we

train, coach and support them effectively and that we recruit new adult helpers

so as to sustain the good work of the section teams in every corner of the country.

No team can do that alone - Group Scout Leaders need to be close at hand to

develop these sectional teams and build up a strong relationship and linkage

between the sections; District Commissioners and their teams are vital in

providing the first level support; Area and County Commissioners and their

teams are vital in ensuring consistency, providing essential back up support and

offering wider opportunities for Packs and leaders to develop.

We all need to take that responsibility of finding and supporting new adult

helpers. Just think of the effect on the Movement if every adult managed to

introduce ONE additional adult to help on a regular basis. And each of them

stayed. What a difference we would make.

Engaging Young LeadersThe Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme is another example of where we are

able to develop the next generation of leaders. Evidence suggests that we have

a lot more to do in the Cub section to effectively engage these 14-18 year olds

across the country. Whatever the reason, we can all do more to understand the

scheme and by doing so, we will develop even more effective leaders, who one

day, perhaps, will succeed us in running the section.

What you’ve been up to recently:

Mrs M Ford of 1st Bethersden Cub

Scouts and Gordon Stuart of 26th

Blackners Cubs were runners

up in the Ordnance Survey

competition (August/September

Cub supplement). They win a copy

of Coast. Congratulations!

Nearly 350 Tamworth Beavers,

Cubs and Scouts made friends

around the world as part of the

Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) and

Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI).

Your Cub Scout Working GroupGraeme Hamilton, UK Adviser for Cub ScoutsNicola Ashby, Programme and Development Adviser for Cub ScoutsBarbara BeckRuth BennettMay CastreyRob RowlesIan StewartVal ThomasonRita Hickin

Contact them on:cub.scout@scout.org.ukCub Scout Working GroupThe Scout Association Gilwell Park, Chingford, LondonE4 7QW; Tel: 0845 300 1818

Contributions to scouting.magazine@scout.org.uk

ADVERTISINGTom Fountaintom@thinkpublishing.co.uk Tel: 020 8962 1258

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4 Cubs December 2008/January 20094 Cubs December 2008/January 2009

Spotted! bookletFor the journey to a camp, prepare a double-sided sheet of paper, or small booklet, for each Cub Scout. The

sheet should contain pictures of objects that may well be seen on the journey to camp. As a Cub spots an item

they tick it off. You don’t need to make a competition out of it as they will enjoy spotting the items and telling

their friends. Objects to include: vehicle logos or models, company logos (seen on lorries), road signs, trees,

product logos.

Oliver says: ‘This helps pass the time on the journey and teaches you lots of logos too!’

Here’s Oliver at camp learning orienteering with King Louie

Sons and daughtersTo celebrate Scouting magazine being

taken over by young people, Dave Wood’s

son, Oliver, brings you his favourite

activities from his time as a Cub

H ello. I’ve been a Beaver Scout, a Cub Scout and am now a Scout (with the 1st Englefield Green). I really enjoy being in Scouting. My mum was my Beaver Scout Leader and my dad was my Cub Scout Leader and they often tried out

the games and activities at home on my brothers and I before running them with the Beavers and Cubs. Sometimes the activities or games were rubbish, and we told them so. If this happened they would either change their plans or scrap the idea completely. We also told them which ones were really good. It’s nice to be listened to and have our own ideas tried out.

For almost three years while I was a Cub I tried loads of new things and was introduced to some things which are now my favourite hobbies, such as cooking, magic, drama and origami. It also gave me the confidence to work towards my Young Sports Leader Award and I’ve enjoyed spending time teaching sport to young children at our local primary school.

Dad has given me this chance to share my favourite games and activities with you and your Cubs – I hope you enjoy trying them out!’

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5scouts.org.uk/pol

IntroProgramme ideas

5scouts.org.uk/pol

String burning competition

you will need•string•campfire area per Six•one leader per Six is needed to ensure fair play.

1.Sixes are each given a prepared

campfire area.

2.A length of string is stretched out horizontally

between two vertical sticks (each string must be

exactly the same height off the ground – about

one metre is ideal).

3.On the word ‘go’, Cubs must go off and collect

wood and light a fire.

4.Which Six can burn through its string first?

Oliver says: ‘This tests teamwork and

firelighting skills. It’s tempting for everyone to

rush off, collect wood, light it and watch it die

away. I won this activity when I got my Six to

keep collecting wood and stoke the fire.’

Robot wars

you will need (per Six)•remote controlled carNote: Cheap, domestic RC vehicles only come in two frequencies and identical frequencies cannot battle each other. These vehicles can be picked up these days for a few pounds each.•box of assorted junk•sticky tape.

1.Hand out the items.

2.Each Six has half an hour to build an armoured

vehicle with spikes and weapons that can burst

a balloon.

3.Stick a balloon on each robot and let pairs

battle it out.

Oliver says: ‘Each Six was given two cars, one of

each frequency, so we could battle the other Sixes.’

Target practice

you will need•plastic cups or card targets•spud guns and potato per Cub Scout.

1.Line up the plastic cups or card targets and

hand out the potatoes and spud guns.

2.Let them see how accurate their shooting is.

Oliver says: ‘We did this outside as, when we

practised at home the floor got covered in slippery

sticky bits of potato and mum wasn’t happy.’

Shelter buildingSixes or pairs of Cubs are given a polythene

decorator’s sheet, some broomsticks or Scout

staves and some pre-cut lengths of string or sisal.

They find a suitable corner of the campsite and

build a shelter together.

Oliver says: ‘We used our shelters as bases for a

wide game where we had to collect things and

store them in our base which we had to defend

from attackers armed with wet sponges and

water pistols.’

Visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol and search ‘recycling robot’

Like this?

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6 Cubs December 2008/January 20096 Cubs December 2008/January 2009

BricklayingAsk a local bricklayer, builder or a competent

DIY-er to come and teach Sixes how to lay bricks

correctly. They will love mixing the mortar and

building a simple wall or brick barbecue.

Oliver says: ‘This was one of dad’s more weird

ideas but one of the best things I’ve ever done

at Cubs!’

Stained glass biscuits

you will need:• a standard biscuit mix plus bowls• greased baking trays• coloured boiled sweets.

1. Cubs mix up the ingredients to make the

biscuit dough, and tear off a lump.

2. They roll this into a pencil-thin sausage and

mould it into a ring, sealing the two ends of the

dough together.

3. One or two of the boiled sweets are put in the

centre of the dough ring and the tray put into an

oven for the required time.

4. When cooked, the sweet will have melted and

formed a semi-transparent centre of the biscuit!

Oliver says: ‘Dad tried this with Jelly Babies first

– and wrecked our baking tray!’

Mini pizzas

you will need• sliced bread• tomato and barbecue sauce• thinly cut slices of pepperoni and frankfurters, grated cheese• round cutter• grill.

1. Cubs use the cutter to cut a round disc out of a slice of bread (or use a large mug or rigid plastic pot).

2. Toast one side under the grill.

3. Remove the disc and, on the untoasted side, spread some sauce.

4. Sprinkle some cheese and add a few slices of pepperoni or frankfurter if desired.

5. Put under the grill and toast until brown.

Oliver says: This led us on to making our own real pizzas at camp from our own dough.

Orienteering

you will need• items to mark out a course.

1. On a field, prepare a simple orienteering

course, using metal tent pegs with plastic key

tags attached as the checkpoints.

2. Each numbered tag, which is virtually invisible

until you get within about 2m of it, has the

compass bearing and the number of paces to the

next checkpoint.

3. Checkpoints should be no more than about 40

paces apart.

Oliver says: ‘King Louie made a course for us

which really made sure that we understood what

bearings were about, so when we went hiking

we knew the value of getting it right.’

Map Reader Activity Badge

Use towards

Find similar programme ideas on Programmes Online. Simply visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol and search ‘cooking’

Like this?

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7scouts.org.uk/pol

IntroProgramme ideas

7scouts.org.uk/pol

Backwoods cookingCharcoal barbecues provide a reliable source of continuous heat if running this activity as a base. Oliver’s favourite recipes include:

Toffee apples – chunks of peeled apple, dipped in water then rolled in sugar. Best done on foil barbecue trays.

Frankfurter kebabs – chunks of frankfurter (no fears on under-cooking!), peppers, onion, mushroom and tomato.

Popcorn – popping corn put into a sheet of foil with a splash of oil. Bunch the foil into a bag very loosely but seal it closed tightly – there needs to be room for the corn to expand.

Marshmallows – Give Cubs a cheap work glove to help protect them.

Oliver says: ‘Mmmm… delicious!’

Wet heads and hands

you will need:• sponge football• bowl of water.

1. Players stand in a wide circle around the leader.

2. The leader passes the soaking wet ball to

players in turn around the circle saying either

‘heads’ or ‘hands’.

3. The player must do the opposite action to the

command – ‘heads’ and they catch the ball and

gently return it; ‘hands’ and they head it back.

4. Recharge the ball with water from time to time.

5. If a player gets it wrong they can sit down… or

remain in to play as this is just for fun!

Oliver says: ‘A brilliant variation of a standard

game and great for hot evenings.’

Tommy Smartie

you will need:• approximately 12 Smarties or similar coloured chocolate beans per Cub Scout.

1. Players sit in a small circle around a plate.

2. One player leaves the circle.

3. Someone chooses a specific bean to be

‘Tommy Smartie’ – they must keep this secret.

4. The absent player returns and eats a bean one

by one until they touch the chosen one, when all

players cry ‘Tommy Smartie!’. The player may eat

the rest. Repeat until all have had a turn.

Oliver says: ‘This was always a popular games

base at our Pack Christmas parties.’

Origami

you will need:• lots of squares of paper.

1. Issue squares of paper to each Cub and show

them how to make a simple origami figure.

2. One of the easiest and most rewarding is a

flapping bird. You may need two adults to

help a Six.

Oliver says: ‘I love origami. We found that we

needed extra adult help with some of the

trickier models.’

Demolition derbyPlace nine empty soft drinks bottles or cardboard

tubes around the playing area.

Using a remote-controlled car, see how many

each player can knock down with the car in

45 seconds.

Oliver says: ‘Once the Pack had bought the

cheap cars, we used them for loads of different

games and activities.’

You can find links to some very good, easy-to-follow instructions at: www.wannalearn.com/Crafts_and_Hobbies/Origami/

Like this?

Find more ideas in the Nights Away or Backwoods Cooking book, available from the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818 or www.scouts.org.uk/infocentre

Like this?

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8 Cubs December 2008/January 2009

Programmes on a platePOP

This issue’s theme is Going Global,

compiled by Steven Moysey

Opening ceremony

24640 10 mins Beliefs and Attitudes Themes Discuss the theme for the meeting.

Ice cube pets

20922 Throughout meeting(30 mins)

Global Try new things Preparation: Gather the insulation materials you need and prepare an ice cube foreach member of the section, plus an additional control cube. What you do: - Give each member of the group an ice cube pet, a graph, pen/pencil

and access to a ruler.- They should measure the height of their pet and record it on the

graph, along the start line and record their own and their pet’s name.- Ask each participant to then choose a material to provide a blanket to

wrap their pet in for the duration of the meeting.- Explain that your ice pet is going to remain without any insulation to

see how long it lasts.- At various intervals throughout the meeting, which will vary

depending on your other activities, ask each pet owner to measure their pet again and record it on the graph. We suggest that you revisit the pets every 10 minutes or so, if possible, to monitor the gradual melting process.

- At the end of the activity get the group to compare whose pet lasted the longest and who’s melted the quickest and why.

- You can link this to climate change.

Ed energy facts

29880 20 mins Global Games; Themes - To maximise the entertainment factor of this programme, dress up as Ed, the Energy Professor (think big glasses, lab coat, etc) and enter to read energy related statements after explaining that they must choose if they are fact or foul.

- Read the statements. (download from www.scouts.org.uk/pol)- Young people choose ‘fact’ or ‘foul’ by moving to one side of the

meeting place, or performing set actions.- Reveal the correct answer. If it is foul, there is an accompanying fact

to read, which the whole group should listen to.- If keeping score, announce the winner at the end of the questions.

Leaking pipe challenge

4239 25 mins Global Themes; Team challenges

Before the activity you will need to make the leaking pipe: - Cut lengths of plastic 100mm pipe to approximately 1.5m. - Cement the pipes into buckets (small amount of mortar is required

for each bucket). - Drill holes where you think the young people can comfortably reach. - When the concrete is set the pipes are ready. The challenge - Split the section into small teams and allocate them a pipe with a

tennis ball and an equal supply of water. - Explain that each team need place the tennis ball in the pipe and

retrieve it using only the material provided.

Closing ceremony

24641 5 mins Beliefs and Attitudes

Themes; Prayer, worship and reflection

Ask the Cubs if they have learnt things from the meeting, and challenge them to think about their energy and water use.

Activity/Game POL ID Time Zone Method Instructions

Mos

t pop

ular

pro

gram

mes

on

Pro

gram

mes

Onl

ine

(O

ctob

er 2

008)

29880 Ed energy facts

22766 Diwali cards

142 Jumbled up relay

28815 Get the prisoner

245 Mark’s first poppy

Ref Activity name

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9scouts.org.uk/pol

Opening ceremony

24640 10 mins Beliefs and Attitudes Themes Discuss the theme for the meeting.

Ice cub pets 20922 Throughout meeting(30 mins)

Global Try new things Preparation: Gather the insulation materials you need and prepare an ice cube foreach member of the section, plus an additional control cube. What you do: - Give each member of the group an ice cube pet, a graph, pen/pencil

and access to a ruler.- They should measure the height of their pet and record it on the

graph, along the start line and record their own and their pet’s name.- Ask each participant to then choose a material to provide a blanket to

wrap their pet in for the duration of the meeting.- Explain that your ice pet is going to remain without any insulation to

see how long it lasts.- At various intervals throughout the meeting, which will vary

depending on your other activities, ask each pet owner to measure their pet again and record it on the graph. We suggest that you revisit the pets every 10 minutes or so, if possible, to monitor the gradual melting process.

- At the end of the activity get the group to compare whose pet lasted the longest and who’s melted the quickest and why.

- You can link this to climate change.

Ed energy facts

29880 20 mins Global Games; Themes - To maximise the entertainment factor of this programme, dress up as Ed, the Energy Professor (think big glasses, lab coat, etc) and enter to read energy related statements after explaining that they must choose if they are fact or foul.

- Read the statements. (download from www.scouts.org.uk/pol)- Young people choose ‘fact’ or ‘foul’ by moving to one side of the

meeting place, or performing set actions.- Reveal the correct answer. If it is foul, there is an accompanying fact

to read, which the whole group should listen to.- If keeping score, announce the winner at the end of the questions.

Leaking pipe challenge

4239 25 mins Global Themes; Team challenges

Before the activity you will need to make the leaking pipe: - Cut lengths of plastic 100mm pipe to approximately 1.5m. - Cement the pipes into buckets (small amount of mortar is required

for each bucket). - Drill holes where you think the young people can comfortably reach. - When the concrete is set the pipes are ready. The challenge - Split the section into small teams and allocate them a pipe with a

tennis ball and an equal supply of water. - Explain that each team need place the tennis ball in the pipe and

retrieve it using only the material provided.

Closing ceremony

24641 5 mins Beliefs and Attitudes

Themes; Prayer, worship and reflection

Ask the Cubs if they have learnt things from the meeting, and challenge them to think about their energy and water use.

Activity/Game POL ID Time Zone Method Instructions

For more great ideas visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol

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10 Cubs December 2008/January 200910 Cubs December 2008/January 2009

The science of fun

I f you like the idea of doing themed activities during national events and celebrations, have you thought about how you might take part in National Science and Engineering Week?

Happening between 6 and 15 March 2009, people of all ages, areas and organisations will be taking part in science, engineering and technology activities, so why not give your Pack the chance to join in?

National Science and Engineering Week is the ideal time

to start working towards the Cub Scout Scientist Badge.

And to help, badge sponsor Rolls-Royce has developed

three new resource packs to help your Cubs complete

the badge.

Free packs for all New packs, including worksheets for Cubs to complete

and a simple explanation of the science for leaders, are

now available for three more of the Scientist Badge

requirements. These include constructing a hot air

balloon to show how hot air rises, ideas for growing

cress from seed, and making a pinhole camera using

everyday household items.

To achieve the Scientist Badge, Cubs have to

complete six of 19 possible activities to help them

understand the physical and living worlds. There is a

wide range of activities to choose from, including

games, and things to make, explore and discover. Most

activities can be completed either during Pack meetings

or at home, using everyday items.

National Science and Engineering

Week is the perfect event to help

your Cubs gain their Scientist Badge, writes Carmen Attard

All the resources listed have been developed by Rolls-Royce to help Cubs and their leaders complete the Scientist Badge:•The Scientist Badge Activity Pack, including full instructions for six activities and a certificate for Cubs completing the badge. To order your copies visit www.scouts.org.uk/sponsors/rollsroyce and follow the link.•Seven 30-minute activity packs for Cub Scout Leaders to download, including worksheets for Cubs to complete and all the science explained for Leaders. Find these at www.scouts.org.uk/sponsors/rollsroyce •Full instructions for completing all 19 Scientist Badge requirements are available on Programmes Online. Simply log on to www.scouts.org.uk/pol and search ‘scientist badge’.

Rolls-Royce would welcome your feedback on these resources and to hear about the activities your Cubs completed to gain their badges. Email gill.fennell@rolls-royce.com

Free activity resources

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11scouts.org.uk/pol

IntroCompetition

11scouts.org.uk/pol

Terms and conditions The competition is to win: first prize £500; second prize £300; and third prize £200 cheques for a Cub Scout Pack to purchase equipment and three lucky Cub Scouts could win a £50 voucher each to spend in Scout Shops subject to the following:·Competition is open to UK Cub Scouts.·You must provide name, address and name of your Cub Scout Pack.·Only one entry per Cub Scout will be entered into the prize draw.·Closing date of competition will be 28 February 2009 and winners will be announced in the April/May Cub Scout Supplement.·Entries should be sent by email to carmen.attard@scout.org.uk or by post to Carmen Attard, Home Safety Competition, The Scout Association, The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford,London E4 7QW.·Winning entries will be drawn at random from all correct entries received. The judges and National Grid’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.·Winners may be required to promote the prize.·National Grid reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition at any time without notice and liability arising from such cancellation or amendment and to offer an alternative prize, and reserves the right to request proof of identity of the winner. The prize is non negotiable, and is not transferable or returnable and there is no cash alternative.·The winning Cub Scout will be given a voucher to the value of £50 to be spent in Scout Shops.·The winning Cub Scout Pack will be sent a cheque to the value of their prize and must provide details of how the money will be spent to carol.a.lloyd@uk.ngrid.com.·Cub Scouts who are related to employees of National Grid will be allowed to enter.·Entrants will be deemed to have accepted the above rules and agree to be bound by them when entering the competition.·No purchase necessary.·The promoter is National Grid plc, 1-3 The Strand, London WC2N 5EH.·For any query or complaint in relation to the promotion please write to carol.a.lloyd@uk.ngrid.com

·You must provide name, address and name of your Cub Scout Pack.·Only one entry per Cub Scout will be entered into the prize draw.·Closing date of competition will be 28 February 2009 and winners

Terms and conditions

Association, The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford,London E4 7QW.·Winning entries will be drawn at random from all correct entries received. The judges and National Grid’s decision is final and no ·Winning entries will be drawn at random from all correct entries

to carol.a.lloyd@uk.ngrid.com.·Cub Scouts who are related to employees of National Grid will be allowed to enter.

·For any query or complaint in relation to the promotion please write to carol.a.lloyd@uk.ngrid.comwrite to carol.a.lloyd@uk.ngrid.com

The three lucky prize winners will receive £50 each plus

one of the above prizes for their Cub Scout Pack. All your

Cubs have to do is fill in the answers to the quiz below.

Visit www.nationalgrid.com/uk/community/cubscouts to

hear Chief Scout Peter Duncan promoting the competition.

The quiz1. National Grid’s Home Safety Badge Activity Pack

contains a scratch and sniff card which has the smell of

natural gas on it. What does this smell like? (tick one box)

Oranges

Bad eggs

Flowers

2. What is the number of the National Gas Emergency Service?

3. If you smell gas in the home name one thing you should

do before calling the National Gas Emergency Service?

4. If you are going out after dark what can you do to

make your home safe: (tick three boxes)

Draw curtains Leave windows open

Leave front door open Leave keys hidden near

Leave lights on front door/letter box

Leave radio playing

5. What is a stop cock used for?

6. If you lose electricity power to your home what two

things should you check first before calling your

electricity supplier?

7. This kitchen is really dangerous. Circle five hazards

from the many shown that could cause an accident.

Send entries to: Carmen Attard, National Grid competition, The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London, E4 7QWInclude: Name: Address: Name of Cub Scout Pack:Signature of parent/guardian allowing photograph of winner to be used for promotional purposes (see below)

Win £500 for your Pack

Enter National Grid’s Home Safety competition

First prize - £500 Second prize - £300 Third prize - £200

cubs decjan09.indd 11 19/11/08 16:02:22

12 Cubs December 2008/January 200912 Cubs December 2008/January 2009

Preparation of the mould1. Find the animal track or footprint you wish to

take a mould of, if you can’t find one try

making one! Clean any loose material from the

imprint: leaves, sticks, stones, etc, as these may

affect your finished casting.

2. Use card or plastic sheets to set up a fence

all round the track 1 or 2 cm high, this will

form a barrier and prevent the mixture

spreading everywhere.

3. Make sure there are no gaps in your ‘fence’

– the best way to do this is to use a single piece

made into a loop overlapping where the two

ends meet, and then secured with tape, staples

or paper clips.

4. You may need to use a releasing agent such

as petroleum jelly smeared on the inside of

your fence, this will ensure it will peel away

from the finished casting without damaging it.

Plaster of parisThis comes as a very fine white powder, which

makes for very smooth and detailed castings.

When mixed with water (in the correct

proportions) you get a thick liquid which can

be poured into a mould (the negative), and

then sets to form a positive of what you have

moulded. The most obviously Scouting use for

this is to make casts of animal footprints as an

aid to identification and teaching.

Break the mouldThere are many things you can cast without firing up a furnace.

Charlie Dale invites you to roll up your sleeves and create

a masterpiece with a purpose

cubs decjan09.indd 12 19/11/08 16:00:58

13scouts.org.uk/pol

IntroMake and do

13scouts.org.uk/pol

Casting1. Let the mixture stand for a couple of

minutes, but not too long or you’ll just have a

bucket full of set plaster! You can test that it’s

still moving by nudging the container gently.

2. Pour the mixture gently into the mould,

making sure all parts are covered, leaving a few

millimetres at the top. The mixture should self

level to form an even top.

3. Leave to set. Test every five or 10 minutes

with a pin or nail to see if the casting is hard,

be patient!

4. When you’re sure the casting has set,

carefully remove the fence, then gently lift the

casting away. It may need a bit of a clean, so

use an old toothbrush.

5. You should then see a clean copy of whatever

paw or hoof mark was left in the ground.

6. You can use a felt-tipped pen on the flat

back of the casting to record information about

it: your name, where and when the casting was

made, what it is a casting of, etc.Making the mixture1. Use a flexible bucket or other similarly

flexible container, obviously the more or larger

the castings you are making the bigger the

container needs to be. Do not use a metal

container unless you are willing to throw it

away afterwards.

2. Put some water into your container;

estimates vary as to how much you will need,

some say equal proportions of water and

plaster, others as little as half the amount of

water to plaster. Experiment until you find a

good mix.

3. If you use cold water this will slow down the

setting process, using warm or hot water will

speed it up – if you use hot water you won’t

have long at all before the

mixture sets solid, so be prepared!

4. Take handfuls of the powder and sift it

through your fingers (to break up any lumps) onto

the surface of the water.

5. Avoid stirring the mixture if you can, this

may mix in air bubbles which will spoil your

finished casting.

6. Keep adding plaster to the water until it has

become a greyish mass with no obvious

standing water. If you feel you have to stir the

mixture to remove any lumps do so gently with

a long handled wooden spoon or stick.

Tidying up• If you have any mixture left in your container leave it to set, then you should be able to tap it out into a bin. • Do NOT pour waste mixture down a drain or sink plughole, it will set in the pipes and cause a blockage. • After tapping out the set plaster from your container you can rinse it out with water to remove the last traces of plaster. • If you have any plaster on your hands wash them in a separate bucket of water to remove the excess plaster, then wash them with hot water and soap in the normal way.• You can pour the bucket of rinsed water down a drain.

Safety tips:• The mixing of plaster and water should only be

carried out by a responsible adult.

• Always wear a mask when mixing the powder.

• Never use your hands to mix the plaster and

water, the mixture will generate some heat

because a chemical reaction is taking place.

Break the mouldThere are many things you can cast without firing up a furnace.

Charlie Dale invites you to roll up your sleeves and create

a masterpiece with a purpose

cubs decjan09.indd 13 19/11/08 16:01:14

Other things to mouldIt’s not just animal footprints that can be

moulded, anything that leaves a mark in the

ground could be cast. For example, the Police

sometimes take casts of footprints found at

the scene of crimes, to help them identify

people by the size and print of their footwear,

especially if there are any distinguishing marks.

You could look at tyre treads; car, motorcycles

or bicycles will all leave the pattern of their

tyre treads in soft ground. Have a look around

and see what else leaves unusual marks that

you could cast.

i.SCOUT is the official merchandise of the Scout Association. All profits go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity Nvumbers 306101 (England and Wales) and SCO38437 (Scotland).

Wax worksMelted paraffin (candle) wax is a great

alternative. The wax won’t be as permanent as

plaster – after all it can melt again, whereas the

plaster sets for good! – but that does mean you

can re-use the material many times.

1. Take shavings from a candle or cut one up into

small pieces and place them in the bowl.

2. Carefully place the bowl into the pan of hot

water and stir the pieces around to help them

melt (this is the safest way to melt wax). It is

strongly recommended this process is carried out

under strict adult supervision and with fire and

first aid equipment nearby.

3. You can either keep the pan on a stove with

the water simmering, or periodically replace the

water in the pan with fresh hot water.

4. Build a fence in the same way as described on

page 12, and carefully pour the melted wax into

the mould.

5. Once set the wax casting and fence can be

pulled away and cleaned with water.

An Offi cial History of ScoutingItem code: 1023413

£14A must have for any Scout. It chronicles the growth of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell’s early life to the work Scouting is doing today to change lives and many other fascinating details.

Snaggle Embroidered Fun Badge Item code: 1026018

£1

Purchase Playing the Game £11.99 and receive a free copy of Best of The Last Laugh worth £2.50 (was £3.99)Item code: 1023706

Cub Pencil with Eraser Item code: 1024904

30p

i.SCOUT HoodieItem code: 1026128RSizes S-XXL

£20

SCOUTSHOPSscouts.org.uk/shop01903 766 921

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