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Cub Scout Adventures > 
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 Whittling > 
Soap Carving
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Bear – 3rd Grade
Whittling
Elective
Requirement 4

Soap Carving

Bear – 3rd Grade
Whittling
Elective
Requirement 4

Soap Carving

Snapshot of Activity

Cub Scouts carve a simple item out of soap.

Indoor
3
3
2
If you want to know more about The Adventure Activity Key click here.
  • Large bar of dry soap for each Cub Scout
  • Pocketknife for each Cub Scout
  • One or two orangewood sticks for each Cub Scout
  • Piece of paper for each Cub Scout
  • Pen or pencil for each Cub Scout
  • Covering for work area
  • First aid kit

Before the meeting:

  1. Three days before the meeting unwrap the bars of soap and lay them in a dry place so they can dry out.
  2. Establish an area for Cub Scouts to safely do their soap carving. Remove all obstacles and allow for plenty of room for Cub Scouts to carve.
  3. Cover any tabletops and floor for easy clean-up afterwards.

During the meeting:

  1. Pass out supplies to Cub Scouts.
  2. Ask Cub Scouts to choose a simple design that does not have too many projections or fine details. Remind them to start simple. Have them draw their design on a piece of paper.
    • Bear
    • Heart
    • Whale
    • Rocketship
    • Strawberry
  3. Tell Cub Scouts to prepare the soap by cutting away the raised edges and scraping off the lettering.
  4. Have Cub Scouts sketch the outline of their design on the soap by drawing with an orangewood stick.
  5. Tell Cub Scouts to make their first rough cuts by cutting away small pieces and slices of the soap that are not part of their design. Remind them that they should not cut big pieces because the soap might break. Ask them to leave a margin of about one-quarter inch outside their outline.
  6. Have Cub Scouts shape the model. Tell them to continue carving so they can get closer and closer to their outline. Remind them to keep turning the soap to work on all parts of their design. They should not try to finish one part before another. Tell them to pay special attention to the high points and low points on the carving.
  7. After they are finished carving, ask Cub Scouts to share their project.

Tips: If possible, complete this activity outdoors so that it’s easier to clean up.
Ask your local Scouts BSA troop for volunteers who can help Cub Scouts with their carvings.
Cub Scouts can use simple printed patterns instead of drawing their own.

Other Activities Options

You can choose other activities of your choice.

Bear – 3rd Grade

Potato Printing Press

Indoor
3
3
2

Cub Scouts carve a pattern into a potato and print a design.

See Details

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.