On November 5th, Bears from Pack 1160 completed their Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop. They learned about useful tools to have in their boxes and practiced using a number of tools including clamps, sanding blocks, hammers and nail punches. They made a golf tee game board as their “fun project” and after sanding, they applied a clear polyurethane finish. Finally, as their “useful project”, each Bear made their very own tool box. It was a couple of hours very well spent and not only did these Bears learn a few things and have some fun, they also earned the distinction of having among their Den the 250th Bear to complete the Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop!
Since introducing the Baloo the Builder and Webelos Build It Workshops, they have quickly become two of the most popular activities in the shop. These workshops are both great, hands-on activities that are fun, learning experiences for the Cub Scouts.
To learn more about these workshops and the many other shop activities available, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage. Start planning now to schedule an activity for your unit in the spring.
All of the activities in Michael’s Woodshop are designed and supervised by a dedicated group of volunteers. With the high demand for woodshop activities, we are seeking additional volunteers to join the Woodshop Team. There are roles available for experienced woodworkers, Woodwork Merit Badge Counselors and both adult and youth assistants. For more information about becoming a volunteer, please see Join the Woodshop Team or email us for additional information.
For more information about the merit badge classes, shop capabilities, upcoming events or reserving the shop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage. If you have questions or would like additional information, please email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com
Scout creativity was on full display in Michael’s Woodshop during Camp William B. Snyder’s second annual Scout Specialty Week. Among the wide variety of merit badge offerings, Michael’s Woodshop offered the Woodwork Merit Badge, a challenging merit badge requiring extended sessions throughout the week. Scouts learned about lumber, shop safety, first aid and tool sharpening. To demonstrate the use of different tools, cuts and joints, Scouts created three projects including a toolbox, a wooden mallet and a cell phone stand. The real fun began when they designed and built their own projects. The results were amazing!
The classes during the merit badge week were led by a group of highly skilled woodshop volunteers. It was a very successful week with 15 Woodwork Merit Badges earned! To see more of the fun activities during the week, go to the 
Normally in Michael’s Woodshop, we use the expression “like kids in a candy store” to describe either our shop volunteers (who just love to be in the shop) or parents who are visiting the shop for the first time and find themselves admiring the well-organized array of tools and great workspace. However, this summer we also used the phrase to describe the Cub Scouts who attended Day Camp and Resident Weekends at Camp Snyder. During their stay, they had the chance to visit Michael’s Woodshop and create their very own candy dispenser. It was a great hands-on project and over the course of the summer the Cub Scouts made 564 candy dispensers!!!
The process started with a safety briefing and some brief assembly instructions and then the fun began! Cub Scouts were guided by camp staff and volunteers in drilling, gluing and nailing together their dispensers. After the assembly process was completed, Cub Scouts sanded all the corners and edges and were then given the opportunity to stamp their project with the official “Handcrafted in Michael’s Woodshop” brand. It was great fun and the activity in Michael’s Woodshop was rated as one of the youth favorites. To see more great photos from summer camp, please link to our 
Michael’s Woodshop operates year-round and is a great venue for Scouts to create and learn. In addition to supporting summer camp and family camping weekends, Michael’s Woodshop offers a number of regular and seasonal activities such as merit badge classes and our annual Pinewood Derby Days! The shop may be reserved by Dens for our Baloo the Builder and Webelos Build It Workshops and may also be reserved for many other events such as District events, Pack & Troop activities and Eagle Scout Projects.
Coming this fall to Camp William B. Snyder is Camping Palooza, a day event celebrating scouting in NCAC by showcasing aspects from all areas of scouting. Including activities from STEM, Scouting History, food, music, games, and more, Camping Palooza will be hosted by the Amangamek-Wipit Lodge and will be open to all ages of scouts and scouters. Some hints of what’s to come include nature, handicrafts, a marching band, special guests, and to end the day, a closing show sure to wow and excite. This jamboree of sorts will be taking place on October 15 2022, and our team can not wait to see you there!
Mary Carpenter Abe (Aah-bay) has been involved in the scouting movement since 1993 when her kindergarten daughter, Lynn, came home from school with a flyer and said, “Mom, can we go find out about scouting?” A meeting at Lynn’s elementary school led to 13 years as a Girl Scout Troop leader plus 3 years as Service Unit Manager.