Cub Scouts Arrow of Light Award

[Scott Shepherd]

Just picked up some blanks today from Ed Lang, here on the forum for the Cub Scouts "Arrow of Light" award. Ed's making the blanks from 3/4" red oak and selling just the blanks to engravers.

There's a lot of kids out there in Cub Scouts and it's my understanding this is the highest award a cub scout can get it, and possibly the only one that transfers up to the Boy Scouts, so it's a proud moment in their lives.

The blanks are top notch, smooth with rounded corners- ready to engrave and finish. The "Rays of Light" are cut in, so all that's engraved is the text and logos. It comes with a saw tooth hanger you can put on the back and two loops of leather for them to hang their arrow. I spoke with Ed about not using the Oak, since it engraves inconsistent and he let me know that for that award, he wanted that look. I have seen one done in Alder, and he's right, the alder looks perfect, but too perfect and not enough "outdoorsy". So I picked up some Oak ones and engraved this one as a sample.

Finish is Danish Oil, rubbed on with a cloth. Even I can't screw up applying Danish Oil :) I think I used the "Golden Oak" tinted Watco Danish Oil.

One thing about these awards is they stop giving them out in the next few months, so it's prime season to be pushing them. If you want some great blanks, give Ed a shout.

Click to enlarge:

[Mike Null]

Coincidentally, I am doing some of those awards this week and I understand one of the parents is making them. The ones I'm working with are 36" long and won't fit into my machine so we're going to use cherry wood thins as applique's. They'll look better and I can do them with any problem.

[Scott Shepherd]

It's that time of the year, for sure. These are 24" long, not sure about the height, I don't have it in front of me right this minute.

In talking with Ed and some Scout people, it looks like this is a nice product to start offering up in November/December.

I can see do several 100 of these a season no problem, since it's at least 10 to a pack around here, and certainly a lot more than 10 packs in this area.

[Anthony Scira]

I am thinking some of that gold foil would look cool. Or would that cheese it up ?

[Scott Shepherd]

I guess you could do anything you want. I also had Ed make me one without the "rays" cut in it, so I could do some inlay work on it. I'm sure he'll supply the basic blank anyway you like, with or without the rays.

Then it's up to you to make your local's happy. It's just nice for people like me who don't have access to a woodworking shop to be able to get the ready made blanks.

[Ed Lang]

Hi Scott,
Glad they are working out for you.
ed

[Janet Liddiard]

We've had a few people ask us to do scouting things, but we've had to decline because we heard the Boyscouts of America are very strict about not giving permission for their logo's, etc. to be used. Have you had similar problems? Has anyone had luck getting permission?

Thanks.

[James Rambo]

I sent a design to the marketing headquarters in late September and still have not heard from them.

[Mike Null]

I doubt that the scouts are going to bother somebody doing things for a couple of scout troups. I know what the rules are but I think the intent is to prevent somebody from using scout trademarks and property in a disrespectful manner or in a broad-based marketing effort.

I do work for the regional headquarters here in St. Louis and questioned my contact, who is the buyer of such things, and he was not happy with the latest edict from HQ and felt that the language was more legalese for their protection. That doesn't constitute permission but I think it means carry on with the small stuff that BSA is unable to do.