Arrow of Light recognition

[2boysRscouts]

Got 12 crossing over in March; looking for arrow plaques or whatever to recognize the boys. Surfed the net and saw that there are plenty of options but was wondering if anybody had a specific company to recommend.

[Quailman]

I made them for the boys in my den four years ago. Sorry I don't have photos, and I am not much with graphics programs. Here's asomething I slapped together using MS Paint:




If you're interested, here's how I made them:

I used rough cedar (sanded on one side). Each 'plaque' (it's actually a shelf) requires a piece of 1" x 12" x 31.5" (for the back); a 1" x 6" x 31.5" (the shelf); and two right triangles 4" x 4" (cut from a 1x6 x 8ft piece). The length of 31.5" is so that you can make three shelves from a 1"x12"x8' and a 1"x6"x8' board. One more 1"x6"x8' gave me enough triangular brackets for all 8 shelves.

After you cut the 1x12 and 1x8 boards to length, trim the corners, cutting 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 triangles off all four on the back and off the from two corners of the shelf. Attach all parts using 2" wood screws from the back. There's no need to fasten the shelf to the brackets. Add cup hooks an inch from the bottom of the brackets to hold the arrow.

Decorate the shelf with shoulder patches from the right and left shoulders outside the brakets; ranks, arrow points, Webelos colors and compass points between the brackets; and other patches (religious knot, world conservation, etc.) spaced across the top. Put picture mounting brackets on the back for hanging on the wall.

Place PW derby car, raingutter regatta boat, space derby rockets on the shelf.

It's a lot easier to make than it sounds. Cedar is soft so you can use a hand saw if a table or circular saw is not available. You do need a power drill for the pilot holes for the screws, though. I made all 8 (undecorated) in about three hours using a table saw and power drill.

Let me know if you're interested and I can clarify the instructions.

I also had my den make very easy but nice looking displays for thier Space Derby rockets.

[riverwalk]

Not sure if we are able to recommend companies in here? But the best ones are those made by your own Pack usually. And there are many, many ideas or even kits out there for consideration. The main thing is the big production you make in the ceremony, and then encouraging folks to keep these keepsakes.

One I bought from ebay, was a neat idea. It was someone's total Cub history from the "60's". All emblems and pins were on a blue felt background, and suspended from his Arrow of Light presentation arrow. Neat, except the family doesn't have it today. At least I saved it, and now use it to promote keepsakes to others.

[Quailman]

I forgot the blue felt on the ones I made. My oldest boy joined as a 1st yr webelo, so he didn't have many patches. My younger one was in from tiger to AoL, so I stapled a piece of blue felt to the back, so it hangs down below. I glued 48 (or 49?) patches to it. I had to go upstairs to get the measurements, and my older boy's room is closer.

I made them the following year for one den, and gave the extra to an upcoming den leader to copy the year after that.