Air Bee n’ Bee

Before the Meeting:

1. Prepare the materials for making the Air Bee ‘n’ Bee
   • Wash the tin food cans and using a can opener, cut off the bottom.
   • Drill two holes using a 1/16” drill bit on the side of the can. One near the top of the can and one near the bottom.
   • Using the coping saw, cut bamboo into 4” long pieces, the same length as the cans.
   • Cut the paracord into 18” pieces and fuse both ends.
2. Make an Air Bee ‘n’ Bee to use as an example.
   • Tie an overhand knot or figure eight knot on one end of the paracord.
   • Starting from the top hole that was drilled on the side of the can feed the paracord through the hole from the inside of the can out. The knot will keep the paracord from going all the way through.
   • Feed the paracord into the other hole that was drilled from the outside.
   • Tie an overhand knot or figure eight not on the other end of the paracord. The can should now be able to hang from the paracord.
   • Lay the can down horizontally and stack the bamboo pieces into the can.
   • Fit as many bamboo pieces as you can so the pieces won’t fall out of the can.
   • Hang the Air Bee ‘n’ Bee in a tree or garden.

During the Meeting:

1. Set out the cans, bamboo pieces, and paracord on a table.
2. Explain to Cub Scouts that they’re going to make an Air Bee ‘n’ Bee–an “ air bed and breakfast” for bees.
3. Ask Cub Scouts to go to the table to collect their supplies.
   • One tin can
   • One piece of paracord
   • Enough bamboo pieces to completely fill their can
4. Show your Air Bee ‘n’ Bee as an example.
5. Explain how to make an Air Bee ‘n’ Bee to the Cub Scouts.
6. Have Cub Scouts make their own Air Bee ‘n’ Bee.
7. Ask Cub Scouts to hang their cans when they get home.

Tip: Cub Scouts may paint their cans.