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Kids' Krafts: Boys Scouts claim centennial badge

By Kathy Antoniotti, Akron Beacon Journal, Source: MCT News Service

One of the most amazing things about the Boy Scout movement today is that you can find a troop in 185 of the world's 192 independent countries.

Scouting was founded when former British military officer Robert Baden-Powell discovered young boys were using a military manual he had written, "Aids to Scouting," as a guide to outdoor activities.

Believing it was time for a youth program like scouting, he assembled 21 boys into patrols at the world's first Boy Scout camp in England in 1907.

The camp was so successful, Baden-Powell rewrote his book to convert the concepts of army scouting to ''peace scouting'' for boys. The result was a new book called "Scouting for Boys."

The movement soon crossed the sea and America saw several organizations develop that loosely resembled the program Baden-Powell envisioned.

In 1910, Chicago publisher William Boyce founded Boy Scouts of America. Boyce thought the program would have the best chances for success if he fashioned it using business principles and had professionals design and operate the program.

In time, the different factions came together and Boy Scouts of America took hold. The Girl Scouts of the USA, another scouting organization, was founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low.

Each year, Boy Scouts celebrate Scouting Anniversary Week during February to commemorate the founding of the movement in this country. This year, scouts and the adults who work with them will celebrate the 100th anniversary of scouting during programs scheduled throughout the year.

Chances are, if you are one of the more than 4.5 million people involved in Boy Scouts of America, you will mark the occasion by attending an event.

In honor of the 100th anniversary, I made a neckerchief slide. This snake slide is a remake of one I did eight years ago. It's still one of my favorites.

You will need help from an adult to bake the clay. Make sure you allow plenty of time for the clay to cool after it is removed from the oven before touching it.

Supplies you will need:

Sculpey brand polymer clay in blue, green, yellow and red.

1-inch dowel.

Oven.

Cookie sheet.

Clear acrylic spray paint.

Preheat the oven to the suggested temperature for the clay.

Knead small chunks of each color (except red) and roll into long strands about a quarter-inch thick and 20 inches long.

Wash your hands when changing colors.

Combine the strands and twist from both ends until evenly entwined.

Coil the strand around one end of a dowel.

Form and position a head and tail. Add a tiny amount of red clay for an eye and tongue.

Carefully remove from the dowel and bake on the cookie sheet following manufacturer's directions.

Protect with a coating of clear acrylic paint when cool.

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(If you have a craft idea or question, contact Kathy Antoniotti, Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; 330-996-3565; or via e-mail at kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.)

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(c) 2010, Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio).

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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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PHOTO (from MCT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): kidskrafts