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Cub Scout Leader Gift Idea

cub scout leader appreciation gift


Cub Scout leaders don't volunteer for the recognition, but it's nice to know that your efforts are appreciated.  As the Pack Committee Chair, I wanted to give each of our leaders and committee members a lasting but inexpensive gift.

After searching the internet, I decided to make these personalized mugs by using vinyl, a Cricut cutting machine, and glass etching cream.

 Cub Scout Leader appreciation gifts 1

 I found these vases/glasses at the Dollar Tree in the floral section.  They would work great on a desk to hold pencils, candy, paper clips, change, etc.  Of course, you could use any kind of glass container. I did consider using more of a traditional flower vase.  Since I have both male and female leaders and committee members, these made a nice unisex gift, however.

One of the symbols of Scouting is the fleur de lis, and I thought it would be a nice reminder of their Cub Scout days. I used the Cricut Cupcake Wrappers cartridge which has a fleur de lis cupcake topper. I had to play around with the size a bit to find the one I wanted.  I used some scrap paper to cut out the samples rather than wasting the vinyl.

Vinyl outline for Cub Scout Leader appreciation gifts
This is what's left of the vinyl after I removed the stencil.
Cub Scout Leader appreciation gifts 3
The left side of the stencil needed a wider border.

After cutting a sheet of vinyl, I used a craft knife to cut around the symbols because I needed the outline.  Carefully pull the stencil off the backing and place it on the glass.  Make sure that the vinyl adheres to the glass, especially around the edges of the symbol.

Working with etching cream was new for me, but it was very easy.  Two tricks that I learned are that you need to put a thick layer of the cream on the glass and your brush strokes should go the in the same direction.  Leave it on 15 minutes and rinse off!

Cub Scout Leader Appreciation Gifts
Etched glass

I put a piece of blue tissue paper inside of each container and filled it with candy.  Using a tag-shaped paper punch, I made yellow card stock tags, I wrote each leader's name on them.

Finished Cub Scout Leader appreciation gift
Tissue paper, candy and a tag finish off the gift
Cub Scout Service Stars

Our pack purchases service star pins for our leaders that have a number indicating the number of years that the leader has volunteered.  I affixed these pins to the tags.

By etching the vases, adding the candy and personalizing the presentation of the service star pins, these inexpensive glass containers were a nice Cub Scout leader gift idea! I think I'll do something similar as teacher appreciation gifts.

Do you give your volunteers appreciation gifts?  What do you give?

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

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Eric

Friday 14th of October 2016

Just came across your site and I like it! I wanted to reach out to you and see if you would be willing to test out some of my glass etching craft supplies for free for feedback. Can you let me know if you are interested by email? I will ship the supplies to you all for free with cream and stencils. Urgently, waiting for your reply. Thanks Eric

Crystal McPhail

Saturday 15th of October 2016

I'd give it a try Eric!

Kathrine Beeder

Sunday 6th of March 2016

I made personalized "tan-colored" aprons with a yellow fleur-de-lys with their red names in red embroidered. They also had blue neck straps, and yellow ties on the side. (I have an embroidery sewing machine.) You could do this with iron-on-patches as well. They seemed to be very well liked.

Another year I did individual super-heroes with leader names on shrinky-dink badge shapes. I actually had to print the heroes on a cardstock paper in color ink; cut those out and glue them on the shields (after the the shields were baked). I covered the finished badges with clear packing tape. (There was a lot of detailed hand cutting.) I then added rings on the back made from PVC pipe. My leaders seem to enjoy them; especially since they were individualized.

Sherry

Wednesday 9th of March 2016

Those are great ideas!! Thanks for sharing!

Melissa

Sunday 6th of March 2016

We try to give all of our leaders some gift every year. We have given $5 Starbucks cards, movie tickets, etc. Parents who have headed up an event or lent an extra helping hand in the pack get a candy award (you're worth 100 grand, you are oFISHally the best, etc search the internet to find lots!)

Crystal McPhail

Wednesday 17th of February 2016

I am our Blue & Gold this year and I love this idea! I am going to give it a try. I just need a clue for our unit fundraiser. Thank you so much for helping me!

Sherry

Friday 19th of February 2016

Glad I could help!

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Tuesday 3rd of September 2013

[...] remembered that I had some glass etching cream left over from the leader appreciation gifts that I made.  So, the next step was to find something glass to [...]