Project ideas for Boy Scouts

Hi – I’m a Scoutmaster and I usually start them on Bat Houses, Bird houses, and Bird Feeders. They are easy to make, they can cut, drill, sand, nail, stain/finish. Not sure what all you have but they can easily use a bandsaw with a 1/4” 10TPI blade and they really cannot hurt themselves. oscillating belt sander, drill press, brad nailer or hammer and nails, glue, clamps, and paint. For a birdhouse/feeder they can cut roof sides bottom to length, cut the end gables and set and bevel the sides to match. 1×4 for the ends, sides and bottom and cedar siding for the “roof”. Your choice on the perch – a dowel or a 3/4”x3/4” strip nailed to the bottom. Caulk to seal the roof peak.

You can get fancy and have the older Scouts use a router table to dado the sides and or bottom. And or have them carve their name or a Fleur de Lis in the back. Younger boys can use colorful paints to decorate.

If the older guys finish up fast I then stick them on a simple open box 3”x4”x6” using 1/4” poplar from HD. Accuracy is key in doing a box like this and they really struggle to get it assembled.

-- Bill - Rochester MI

Beer tote.

Kidding. But a tool tote or simple tool box would be my recommendation. Everyone can use a box and the skill to build one relates to many other things. In my scouting days we made a valet/desk organizer thing using a router and it sucked. 14 yo boys have no use for something like that. This book by Jim Stack has several simple tool boxes and is well written with material lists and plans. My brief review of it.
http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/2017/01/building-perfect-tool-chest-by-jim.html

-- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/

Tool tote is simple and they can use it forever.

Bird/bat house is good but I doubt it will excite them or give them the woodworking bug.

Don’t hesitate to teach them to turn. That’s a lot of fun for the kids. I do a lot with my son’s pack. Candle holders for mom. A vase for mom. Bowls for their change. Magic wands for the younger ones. It’s endless and easy enough to give them the bug.

-- Dave - http://kelleycrafts.com/ - pen blanks - knife scales - turning tools

Chuck box.

-- Bondo Gaposis

I’d second the Chuck box. Plus there are lots of design variations so each group can select their own project. Pull in parent volunteers and put out a request on Lumberjacks for volunteers to help.

-- For those about to die, remember your bicycle helmet!