Cub Scout Wood Projects: Build a Tray

One of the most awesome things we do at our Cub Scout day camp is building wood projects.  For some of our boys, this is the first time they've used hammers and screwdrivers.  The boys (and their parents) are so proud of their projects!

Our wood projects list by rank has been the same for at least the last seven years since I've been involved with the camp.  The items vary in difficulty depending on rank. We continue doing the same wood projects every year so that if a boy comes to day camp every year, he'll have five different projects.

Here's a list of the wood projects by rank:

• Tigers – Birdhouse
• Wolves – Tray
• Bears – Table
• Webelos 1s – Chest
• Arrows of Light – Chair

Adventures Involving Building

In the 2015 Cub Scout program, there are two adventures that involve building something out of wood.  Even though the other ranks aren't working on an adventure by making a birdhouse or tray, they are working on skills that will be important for them in the future.

Bear Required Adventure: Baloo the Builder 3:  Assemble your materials, and build one useful project and one fun project using wood.

Webelos/AOL Elective Adventure: Build It 2:  With the guidance of your Webelos den leader, parent, or guardian, select a carpentry project and build it.

Tray Plans

You can download the instructions and the accompanying diagram by clicking on these links.

Tray Instructions and Supply List

Tray Diagram

Tray Costs

I calculated the cost of the project by using the Home Depot online prices available through my affiliate link (at no extra cost to you).  I used the best price available, so the price for 66.5″ of 1″ x 4″ pine was calculated based on a 1″ x 4″ x 8′ board.

• 66.5″ of 1″ x 4″ pine – $4.34
• 9.5″ of 1″ x 6″ pine – $0.54
• 10″ of 1″ x 2″ pine – $0.20
• 26 – 6d nails – $0.65
• 6 – 3d nails – $0.04

The retail price total is $5.77 per tray.  My post about building chairs has some ideas on ways to get lumber more inexpensively for your wood projects.

Time Needed to Build Tray

Our boys go to the wood shop for two back-to-back 50 minute sessions on two consecutive days.  The Wolves usually finish their trays a bit early, depending on how much an adult helps them.  Drilling pilot holes for them speeds up the process, so I recommend that you do this for the boys.

I estimate that it will take your Wolves about 3 hours to do this project.  This time would include a short safety talk.

Tips

After doing this for so long, we've learned some things.  Here are a few suggestions for you.

• Pre-cut the wood. Since we have 200 boys at our camp, there are usually a couple of wood cutting parties before camp.
• Pre-drill pilot holes.  This will help the boys who have trouble driving in the nails.
• Have plenty of helpers.  Our local Boy Scout troops help us during day camp.  If you're doing this as a den or pack, contact the troop to ask for help.
• The Cub Scouts should write their names and den numbers in crayon on all of their wood pieces as soon as they get them.
• You'll want to keep your lumber covered.  The National Guard loaned us “GP Mediums” (large canvas tents) under which to store the wood at day camp.  If you're working with fewer boys, you can store it in your garage.
• Be patient!  Or at least as patient as you can be in the heat with a bunch of boys hammering around you.  🙂

The boys will be so proud of their accomplishment when they finish their trays!

If your Cub Scouts make the trays, let me know!  I would love to see a picture of them.

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S.  Take a look at the chairs that our Arrows of Light made!