Potato prints

This is an easy craft for kids of any age, although younger kids may need some assistance from a grown-up because a knife is involved.

Take a potato and cut it in half using a straight blade, such as a paring knife or pocketknife. Don't use a serrated blade because it will make a wavy surface, and you won't get good prints from your potato. Blot the two halves on a piece of paper towel.

Take a nail or other sharp implement and scratch the outline of your design into the flat (cut) side of the potato. If you are planning to make a letter or number, remember to make your design backward so that it will print out correctly! Carefully use a paring knife or pocketknife to trim away the areas outside of your design.

Once your potato stencil is ready, press it firmly into an ink pad, then onto a piece of paper. Depending on how fresh your ink pad is, you can probably get two or three good prints before you need to re-ink your potato.

Leader awards

Kids aren't the only ones working on some sort of badge for their uniform. Yes, leaders can earn awards, too. It's nice to receive recognition for the time you put into Scouting. I recently earned my fourth Boy Scout square knot award -- the Cub Scouter award (pictured at the top).

The first two square knot awards I earned, I actually earned when I was a Cub Scout. Way back when I was in Pack 3, Den 2, I earned the religious emblem for Cub Scouts and the Arrow of Light. As an adult, I am entitled to wear the square knot emblems corresponding to those achievements (bottom left and bottom middle). Two years ago, I earned the Cubmaster Award (bottom right) for being fully trained at my position and completing several other activities related to the award. At this month's roundtable, I received my Cub Scouter Award for completing additional activities at my position.

If you are a leader and would like to work on an award, you can check out the different awards and their requirements at www.boyscouttrail.com/square-knots.asp.