Slide of the month Extra - Philmont Pickle

December 2021

Time to make: 1.5 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

No it's not the Christmas Pickle and there is no extra present for finding it first. This represents the infamous Philmont Pickle and the challenge is to be able to eat this spicy wonder. I've heard tales of Scouts downing the pickle and juice in record time (sometimes with  disastrous results later in the day).

A really easy slide to carve from a piece of scrap wood but the interesting part comes with the layering of hobby paints to give it some depth. (The picture doesn't do it justice!) The lettering was done with waterslide paper and a couple of coats of poly finish it off.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Santa Claus

December 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Santa Claus Camp in July? Well sure! Santa Claus camp has a long history at Philmont and was a staffed camp until the 90's when the well ran dry. As an unstaffed camp, in 2000 lightning struck a bear cable burning bear bags to a crisp and 2002 the camp suffered damage in the Ponil Complex Fire. In 2018 the Ute Fire burned the shotgun range (which has since been rebuilt). But in 2019, Santa Claus became a staffed camp once again.

This slide just cried out to be carved in maple because of all the unique areas to be defined. Scroll or list, for example, would have proved to have been to delicate in a softer wood. Painted with hobby paints and lettered using water slide paper. A couple of coats of poly finish it off. 

Slide of the Month Extra-Philturn Chucks Shelter at Pueblano

December 2022

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Another from a series of pictures from the Philturn Rockey Mountain Scout Camp on the Philmont Millennium 1 website called Chuck's Shelter. Looking at the picture, I think I've captured what Chuck had in mind when he built it. 

Carved from a block of pine, the first step was to carve an L shaped area to form the base and background. I needed this to form to build the frame of the shelter. I grilled holes into the base for the poles at an angle so the top meet at a center point on the background. I glued the poles into place and let this frame dry. I did a first go at painting because once I got the tarp in place, I wound be able to get to all the areas I needed to reach.  The next step was to use some fabric to simulate the canvas that was used back then and glue it in place. I painted the cloth and touched up areas as needed. The lettering was done with waterslide paper and a couple coats of poly finish it off.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Partners in High Adventure

November 2020

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

The Order of the Arrow and Philmont have always been "Partners in Adventure" but the relationship is much deeper as The Order of the Arrow does so much service to the ranch. One example is the OA trail crew in which members of the OA travel to Philmont to provide new trail construction and trail maintenance. 

A simple slide made from southern yellow pine reclaimed from pallet scrap. Painted with hobby paints and sealed with a couple coats poly. The lettering and symbols are done with waterslide paper. 

Slide of the Month- Little Eskimo

December 2021

Time to make: 1.5 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

 
Boy's Life: December 1958, page 70

Original design:  Unknown








It's cold and the darkest day of the year is in December here in the Northeast. Yet in the town of Utqiaġvik, Alaska is currently in the middle of "Polar Night". The sun sets on mid-November day and rises mid-January. Take a look what life is like during two and a half month of night in this article. 

The original article called for a half of a large cork fishing bobber to make the head but these days most bobbers are made of plastic. So to make this slide, I decided to carve an elongated sphere and as you can probably tell it's not perfectly round. In the center of the sphere, I drilled a hole and glued a small dowel for the nose. After sanding the dowel to round it, I painted the face with hobby paints and sealed it with a couple coats poly. The fur hood was made from some fake fur purchased at a fabric store and glued to head. Lastly, I trimmed the fur to give it a more uniformed looked.

Slide of the Month Extra-Philturn Chuckwagon

 

November 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont Millennium 1  / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

The Philmont Millennium 1 site have several photos of the early days when Philmont was called Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp and this is my interpretation of the chuckwagon. I found myself wondering if settlers celebrated Thanksgiving on the trail.

Carved from Southern (pallet) pine the slide is one of several levels and for some reason at the time, hard for me to visualize. Painted with hobby paints, lettered with waterslide paper, and finished with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont QRP Club

November 2021

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

I'm thinking of bringing a 40 meter QRP transceiver, earbuds, 3D printed CW key,  an end feed wire  antenna and oh yeah a 9 volt battery to work the world in the back country. (The setup weighs in at under a pound!) Well, this is my concept slide for all who choose to run a QRP CW rig on the trail. (BTW the Morse code on the slide reads CQ CQ DE PHILMONT)

Carved from Southern (pallet) pine, it's the basic Philmont arrowhead painted with hobby paints. With some work with Microsoft Paint and some clipart, I had the images to print on waterslide paper. The slide is sealed with a couple of coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Chase Ranch (apple)

  November 2021

  Time to make: 3 hours

  Finishing: 1 hour

  Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

 

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

November makes me think of apple picking season so this is a good time for the Chase Ranch. Arriving on the land that would become their home with a milk cow, two horses, and a wagon, Manly and Theresa Chase became a part of Philmont history. As part of a 50 year lease, the Chase Ranch is now operated and managed by Philmont. More often than not, you will see the Chase Ranch symbolized with the heart (their cattle brand) and apple for their apple orchard. It is also rumored the place of origin for the "Marlboro Man".

Carved from scrap pallet southern pine, this is another example of a layered approach to bringing a 2D patch into a 3d slide. The apple has the top spot with the leaves following on the next level. The heart comes next and the background is the last level. Painted with hobby paints and the lettering was done on an injet printer using waterslide paper. A couple of coats of Poly finish it off.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Apache Springs (Teepee)

 

   November 2021

   Time to make:          3 hours

   Finishing: 1 hour

   Original design:      Philmont /               Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

So shortly after I designed a slide for Apache Springs I found a new patch at the Tooth of Time Traders. (Dang, jumped the gun!) 

It looks like a really simple slide but looks can be deceiving (or maybe I've just over designed it). The slide is made from maple for some extra strength particularly in the area of the poles at the top. I purposely left an area for the poles to mount to instead of leaving them free floating. The second area that is more than it seems is the opening to the teepee which was drilled then filled with wood putty to get rid of the concaveness. The lettering was done with waterslide paper and the slide was painted with hobby paints. A couple coats polly finish it off.

Slide of the Month - The Shield Slide

November 2021

Time to make: 2 hours

Boys Life "Slide of the Month"

July 1997, page 54

Original design: Jeff Springer












 I found myself fascinated reading about Native American shields  and I would recommend looking at  Snowwowl.com  and Study.com for some interesting information. More than an implement of war, some nations considered the shield as a part of spiritual protection also. Jeff chose a Plains Indian shield to honor.

Cut, drilled, and sanded from a piece of maple, the shield takes it's basic form. I used a amber shellac to seal the wood before continuing.  Though hard to see in the photo, the outside edge is stitched with waxed leather working thread and the ribbons (trophies?) are tied to the bottom of the shield. The design in the center was done using paint pens and a steady hand.

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Double H Moonrise

 

October 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

There is something about the evenings in October...the air is getting crisp, the leaves are changing (or off the trees by this time) and the moon just seems larger in the sky. In this slide we see the outline of a mountain elk highlighted in moon rise.

The high adventure camp know as Double H was a part of Torstenson Family Wildlife Center from 2004 to 2009. Some called the treks to Double H "Philmont Extreme  adventure" as there were no established trails system so you had to be on your game with map and compass. Also without predetermined campsites, every encampment was highly Leave No Trace. Opinions vary on why the partnership was dissolved but for those how experienced the Double H, it was the experience of a lifetime.

Carved from reclaimed pallet wood, the slide is a leveled slide without many details. This is entirely on purpose as in the light from the moon, especially as it is just rising, highlights things like a standing shadow. Your not quite sure it's there as your eyes try to focus. The slide is painted with hobby paints, lettered with waterslide paper, and finished with a couple of coats of poly. 

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Apache Springs (Teepee and Sweat Lodge)

 October 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

When I designed this slide, I had not seen patch for Apache Springs and thought there really needs be slide for this camp. While there are many things special about this camp, I was really looking forward  seeing the Tee-pee and to be deep in thought while being in the Sweat Lodge. So on with my concept slide...

Carved from reclaimed pallet wood, I carved the base for the Tee-pee and Sweat Lodge then need a material to represent the hides used traditionally. To do  this I used torn pieces of tissue paper and white glue to give it some texture. I painted the background with hobby paint, used waterslide paper for the lettering, and sealed the slide with a couple coats of poly. Oh, just a side note, a while after I finished this slide, Philmont released a Apache Springs patch which is yet to come on my blog.

 

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont T-Rex Track

  October 2021

  Time to make: 3 hours

  Finishing: 1 hour

  Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

In 1983, American geologist Charles Pillmore found the first recorded T-Rex foot print at Philmont Scout Ranch. A second and partial third foot print was also found Philmont. While many knew Philmont Scout Ranch was rich in history, it seems more fantastic discoveries are yet to come!

Carved from maple, it was engaging project especially since I don't much about dinosaurs. This is another patch to slide creation using different levels. While the T-Rex is sanded smooth, I left the rocks behind it in a chip style to give the  rock face some texture. I painted the slide with hobby paints and sealed it with a couple coats of poly. The lettering was done with waterslide paper.

Slide of the Month Extra - Duty to God

October 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

One of the crew leadership positions is the role of Chaplain's Aide and it is the responsiblity of this youth leader to help the crew earn the Duty to God award.  They also lead the Roses and Thorns which is an opportunity for the crew to reflect on the good and bad of the day. I've always liked a slightly different version of this called Roses, Thorns, and Buds in which someone states something they liked, something they disliked, and something they look forward to the next day (or days).

Using southern yellow (pallet) pine, I designed this slide in several levels to represent the area near and far away from the viewer. (The trail being nearest and the sky being the furthest away.) I painted it with hobby paints. The lettering is done with clear waterslide paper and white waterslide paper so I could have white lettering (with a green printed background). A couple of coats of poly finish it off.

Slide of the Month - Eggs 'n Bacon

October 2021

Time to make:  48 hours

Finishing: 0

 

Boy's Life: December 1982, page 77

Original design: Kenneth Koob







MMMMMMmmmmmm....Breakfast in camp on a brisk October day! I can just taste the bacon just thinking about it

I was thinking about how to make this slide and came up with a new fangled solution for creating the slide. I started with a large button and spray painted it with metallic blue paint. That gave it the look of an old blue enamel camping plate. To make the food I used "puffy" paint which is normally used on fabrics. It is some interesting stuff that comes in squeeze bottles with some fine tips to draw with. Once you "paint" your design, you add heat from a steam iron and the paint expands "puffing up". 

Using a scrape piece of polished tile as a base, I started with the background of each - white of the eggs, darker brown of the toast in a square shape, and red of the bacon. I think you could also use parchment or wax paper for the base also.) Once it was dry, about 24 hours, I applied the other color on top of the died material - yellow egg yoke, tan of the toast, and tan of the bacon fat and let those dry for another 24 hours.  Next I super glued a coat hanger loop to the back of the button. Next I super glued the eggs over the holes on the button.  The square toast was cut dig and then super glued them the button. Lastly, I supper glued the bacon to the button.  

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Rich Cabins

 

September 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

It is said Joseph Risch (Americanized to Rich) fell in love with a young woman in Austria. The local priest in their home town agreed to marry them but, because the town could not support more people, forbid them to have children.  Hearing tales of America "Joe"  headed off for New Mexico to build a homestead around the late 1890s. Joe returned to Austria to to marry the love of his life Francis and she came to the homestead around 1910. The Rich Family lived on the land until the 1920's. In the present day, the land is owned by Ted Turner and allows Philmont to use the property.

A quick and easy slide to carve from southern (pallet) pine, painted with hobby paints, lettered with waterslide paper, and finished with a couple of coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra-Philturn Cook Shelter

September 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont Millennium 1 / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Over at the Philmont Millennium 1 site there are several photos of the early days when Philmont was called Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp and one of the photo there was the Cook Shelter. This is my spin of the photo as a slide. One thing of note, (a mistake but I still like it) beyond the stone cook area sits a Scout. Somehow I thought it was a dark cast iron part of the cook area and yet it still works for me as someone sitting in the shadows.

Carved from southern yellow pine (reclaimed scrap pallet) the levels of the slide give this a sense of depth. Painted with hobby paints and sealed with a couple coats of poly. The lettering was done with water slide paper. 

Slide of the Month Extra -Philmont Ponil

 

September 2021

Time to make: 2.5 hours

Finishing: 1.5 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Ponil was base camp back when Philmont was known as Rocky Mountain Scout Camp. It is one of the largest back country camps and features many programs including a chuckwagon dinner and if your lucky a pancake breakfast. Root beers can be bought at the cantina and some trout fishing in the stream. It is also where you will find "Cowboy Action Shooting" and have the chance to shoot 38 caliber pistols.

Carved from maple, this was a challenging slide to try complete. The pistols came out better than I expected but there always is room for improvement. I painted it with hobby paints and the lettering was done with water slide paper. A couple of coats of poly finish it off. 

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Rayado Ridge

  September  2021

  Time to make:         3 hours

  Finishing: 1 hour

  Original design:       Philmont /                Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022 Countdown

 

I'm told the sun rise and sun set in Philmont are amazing and this view in Rayado Ridge has to be in the top 10! Rayado Ridge is a great leadership training camp where you can find these courses National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE), Philmont Leadership Challenge (PLC),  Wood Badge and many other courses.

Carved from maple, it was a really simple slide to carve as it is just an incline way from the land mass (in black) to give the illusion of distance. Next came the painting and, using hobby paints, I started by painting the yellow of the sun as a large circle. Using orange paint, I painted the outside area, furthest from the center, and then with a fairly dry brush dabbed the orange paint in the yellow area. When the paint was dry, I when back with yellow paint and put a drop in the center to make the sun. Lastly, using black paint, I paint the land mass giving the feeling of the sun setting. Nice! The lettering was done with a couple different kinds of water slide paper. The "Rayado Ridge" was done with clear waster slide paper and the "Leadership Camp" was done on white water slide paper printing the red lettering on a black background. A couple coats of poly finish it off.  I really love how this slide turned out!

Slide of the Month- Elephant (Cub Scouts)

September 2021

Time to make: 1/2 hour

Finishing: none

 
Boy's Life Dec. 1961 p.77

Original design:  Unknown











Hopefully we are all back in person now and as quite a few packs start at the beginning of the school year, lets get the Cubs off to a good start with a simple slide with simple materials.

The original Boy's Life slide called for using an old inner tube and while they are still around, finding a old inner tube isn't as common as it was back in 1961. I found something better and easier to work with in the scrapbooking section of a craft store. The best part is that it comes in a variety of colors and won't break the bank. Buttons are easy to find and you might just have a couple in a sewing kit at home. If you are going to do this with the Cubs, I would suggest making a template out of cardboard or heavy card stock so the Cubs can trace the shape on to the foam sheet before cutting. On to the building...

With the design outline on the foam sheet, I cut out the  shapes with a pair of scissors. (Note: I did make the tabs a little longer than the article call so I could adjust the size of loop and trim it accordingly.)

 Next came cutting the slits for tabs in the ear section which with the foam sheet is really easy. Fold the foam in half along the marked line for the tabs and cut along the line (easy peasy). Now pass the tabs through the slits and form a loop in the back by gluing the tabs together. I used contact cement but I guess you could use just about any kind of glue, staple or sew it together. The button eyes of the elephant, I also glued on instead of sewing them on, as suggest by the article, but once again it's up to you.

It's a quick and easy project for Lions to Webelo's!  

Slide of the Month Extra- Philmont Crooked Creek

 

August 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Crooked Creek Camp is one of two camps at Philmont that is as close to the homesteading experience as possible. No phones, no electric lights, no motor cars, not a single luxury like Robinson Crusoe. It's as primitive as can be. (Sorry, I went Gilligan's Island there for a moment.) But yes there isn't modern life there and in fact there isn't even a road to the camp. All supplies have to be packed in by burro or on foot. So with that song ringing around in your head...

As many of you have probably surmised, the biggest thing I struggle with are faces but second on my list of things I hate to carve are letters. No so much in this slide because the letters didn't need to be perfect as I was going for a more rustic look. Carved from southern (pallet) pine, this is simple low relief  design to form the letters. The surface of the letters were sanded smooth while in between the letters and the background is rough giving the slide a weathered look. The magic comes in with the painting which should give one the thought of being near a cabin. It's painted with hobby paints and a couple of coats of poly finish it off.

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Gateway (Boots)

 

August 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 2 hour

Original design:  Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Well it's late in the season and probably the last treks of the summer season are on their way to this glorious monument of the Philmont experience. But why throw your hiking boots over the gateway? Some say it is because your hiking boots are worn out after 14 days on the trail in the rough terrain of Philmont. Other say it's an old military tradition of a "short timer" who retires or is leaving a post.  I've even heard some overseas Scouts bought there boots when arriving in the States and don't have the room in their bags for the return trip home.  It is my belief that after the Philmont experience, you want to say goodbye while still leaving a piece of yourself there.

I got an idea and it just took off...this is one of my larger slides. The base is carved from some reclaimed southern pine from a broken pallet. The poles are from dowel material and the sign is made from a popsicle stick. The bands are made from aluminum flashing distressed by soaking the pieces in white vinegar overnight to give them a weathered steel look. The boots...ah the boots, how I struggled with these. After trying different materials, I cut the boot pattern out of thin leather using an x-acto knife. To give you an idea of the boot pattern, imagine a lower case d and b with their backs together so when you folded them together along the spine it formed a boot.  I super glued the sides of the pattern together with a thread inside and on the other side of the thread another boot. Now with all the parts ready I first assembled the poles by gluing them together and, after they had dried overnight, glued the aluminum bands to them.  Next came the shellac to give the poles and sign (with bands attached) the finish I was looking for. I glued the poles to the base before attaching the sign to the poles so everything would line  up correctly. At this point I painted the base, using hobby paints, being careful to not get paint on the poles or the sign. I used waterslide decal paper for the lettering on the gateway and applied it before adding the boots. To hang the boots, I used a layer of thin super glue and had to work quickly as the thin super glue dries fast. A couple of coats of poly finish it off.

When I say this slide is big, it takes up two levels in my storage system (top and bottom) and when worn it certainly makes itself known. I don't if I'll throw my boots over the gateway when I go, but maybe just maybe there could be a couple of slides hanging there...

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Crater Lake (Pole climb)

 

August 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Someday I hope to get the Crater Lake and see if my pole climbing technique (from my days as a telephone I/R man) still will serve me well. I hear the Crater Lake Boys (and girls) have one heck of a campfire show too!

What fun to carve this in perspective! Made from southern (pallet) pine, this combines a layered technique while trying to convey the height of the pole. Once I was satisficed with the slide, I painted it with hobby paints, lettered using waterslide paper, and finished it with a couple of coats of poly.  

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Baldy Mountain (Red)

  August 2021

  Time to make:        3 hours

  Finishing: 1 hour

  Original design:      Philmont /                Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

Baldy Mountain, at 12,441 feet above sea level, is the tallest mountain in Philmont.  It is dotted with old gold mines and has a fantastic view.

There really is something to making slides with a scenic view of a mountain. Carved from Southern Yellow Pine (reclaimed pallet wood) and painted with hobby paints. The lettering is done with waterslide paper and the slide is finished up with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month - Ice cream cone

August 2021

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1.5 hour 

Boy's Life  May 1960& p. 68

Original design:  Gary Miller













Ahhh... Summer! Hot days, blue skies and an ice cream cone in your hand. Could it get much better when you were a kid? 

Carved from maple, the cone is sanded smooth while the ice cream is chip carved and left in a rough state to get the texture right. I painted the slide with hobby paints and the details (sprinkles and patch work of the cone) with paint pens. A couple of coats of poly finish it off.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Miners Park

 July 2021

 Time to make: 3 hours
 
 Finishing: 1 hour

 Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

An staffed camp built in a meadow with  climbing wall, climbing cave, and a program area a short 30 minute walk away featuring rock climbing and repelling. It also features the much appreciated showers, purified water, and, for those rainy days, a large covered porch. Another thing of note, mountain lions are often seen hunting prey like mule deer

It is always a rewarding task when I see a patch or picture and think about how I going to turn it into something more rounded. This slide, carved from pallet scrap wood, is no exception.  One of the decision I make right off the bat was to remove the background to give the feeling of the ridge being high. The other aspect was the illusion of perspective using the rope. I think if I was to do it again, I would have made the rope thicker in the corner and thinner towards the climber.  I painted the slide with hobby paint, lettered with waterslide paper, and finished it off with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Urraca (Magpie)

 

July 2022

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Urraca is Spanish for Magpie and the Urraca Mesa is full of these members of the crow family. Ah but the legends say the Magpies can open the portal to the underworld. There are many stories of people seeing many odd thing from blue orbs to a lost Boy Scout. 

Carved from maple, I like how this slide developed with the bird, the branch and the mountains. This is painted with hobby paints, labeled with waterslide paper and finished off with a couple coats of poly.

Hmmmm, these legends and ghost stories give me an idea for more Philmont slides...

Slide of the Month Extra-Philturn Lodge

 
July 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont Millennium 1 / Bill Macfarlane

 Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Based on some photos I found on Philmont Millennium 1, I've created some slides that are my interpretation of them. The first is the Philturn Lodge and I could not find any information on it but my best guest is it was the original base lodge.

Carved from southern (pallet) pine, it was a challenge to bring this one to life as there were lots of angles and levels to the building.  When I was happy with it, I painted it with hobby paints and sealed it with a couple coats of polly.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Tooth of Time (Elevation)

  July 2022

  Time to make:         3 hours

  Finishing: 1 hour

  Original design:      Philmont /       Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

So many views of the Tooth of Time and this calls out the elevation of 9003 feet above sea level.

Carved from Southern yellow pine (pallet scrap) with different levels for each area of the area. Painted with hobby paints and sealed with a couple coats of poly. The lettering is done with waterslide paper and a inkjet printer.

One year till Philmont (the good Lord willing)

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Well the count down begins again for me "the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise". (Yes I know that isn't the original saying but considering all the rain we have had lately...)

OK,  I admit started counting the day our crew was told we could not go to Philmont back in 2020.

Besides the weight loss, gym workouts, on trail training starting again, I also have the issue of lots of Philmont slides yet to be published before I hit the trail. With that in mind I'm going to try to publish them all before I leave. So keep an eye out for a slide each week or so for the next year. (Or more if I'm running out of time!)

I can't wait to get in the back country and yes, I'm going to bring my carving knife with me...

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont 1976

July 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

One of my favorite Philmont patches of the past partly because I think it is a beautiful view and secondly because I graduated in 1976. I bet the Bicentennial was quite something on the 4th of July in 76 at Philmont.

Carved from southern (pallet) pine, this slide has several levels including the stripes of the flag. The slide is painted with hobby paints using a layering method of paint. The lettering is done with a inkjet printer and waterslide paper. A couple of coats of polly finish it off.

I'm one year out from leaving on my Philmont trek and once again I realize, I have more Philmont slides than I have months before I go on trail. So I plan to publish as many of the Philmont slides as I can before I leave. So hang on this might be bumpy ride.

Slide of the Month- The Firecracker

 

July 2021

Time to make: 1 hours

Finishing: 1/2 hour 

Boy's Life July 1993, Page 87

Original design:  Jeff Springer




OK, admittedly not the safest thing we ever did as kids. It's a wonder any of us boomers are alive today with all the "unsafe" things we did back then. (Riding a bicycle without a helmet, chemistry kits, sling shots...etc)  

A quick and easy slide! The body of the slide is a 3/4 inch dowel cut 2 1/2 inches long and sanded at the ends. The fuse is a piece of cotton string painted with blue hobby paint and when it was dry I cut the string so the sting was held tightly together by the paint. Next,  I drilled a hole the size of the string in the dowel. I painted the dowel red with hobby paints and, when dry, glued the fuse in place. A couple of coats of polly finish it off.

Slide of the Month extra - Smokey the Bear

June 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour 

Source : online 

Original design:  Unknown












As we move into the Summer season, I'm always reminded of Smokey the Bear's slogan "Only you can help prevent forest fires."  The story of Smokey is an interesting one, BUT beware of how you celebrate Smokey's birthday

Carved from a solid and hard chunk of maple, this slide caused me to sharpen my carving blade many times.  Lots of sanding on this slide too! Painted with hobby paints and sealed with a couple of coats of polly. All and all, I like how it turned out!

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Ring Place

June  2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Ring Place camp is on the old Ring homestead and is know for the clearest view of the stars. It is said on a clear night you can even see the rings of Saturn. Rumor has it, the staff at Ring Place is also the friendliest of all the camps (but your mileage my vary). The is a great article on Ring Place in the Phil News from August 2015.

An unique experience carving this slide for southern (pallet) pine as it is far more complex than it appears. The telescope, counter weight (at lease that is what I think it is), and the eyepiece are somewhat up to interpretation so I beg the readers pardon if I have it wrong. Painted with hobby paints for the main body of the slide and the lettering and starts were done by hand using paint pens. A couple of coats of poly finish it off.

Slide of the Month-Sundial

 

June 2021

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1 hour 

Boy's Life Oct. 1986, page 52

Original design:  George E. Haddad 

June 20, 2021 is the beginning of summer and the longest day of the year. What better time to make a sundial! It is simple to use and you can tell the time by simply looking at the shadow on the dial. I know what you are thinking, how do you know the time at night?  If it is dark out, its time to go to bed.

Simple to use but a bit tricky to set up as the slide has to be cut on an angle in accordance to the latitude where you are located. For example, the latitude of Boston, MA 42.3601° N, so with this in mind, the angle of the slide would be cut at 42 degrees. I used a block of pine and cut the angle for my area first before drilling a 3/4 inch hole in the top of the slide. For the scale, I screen printed the  from boys life and brought it into MS Paint to enhance the lines and numbers. Once I was happy with it, I cropped the scale and printed it to waterslide paper. The next step was to drill a hole and glue the dowel in place. I painted it with white paint and, when dry, the decal to the slide. Next, a couple of coats of polly were applied. To finish off the slide, I took a fine line sharpie marker and wrote instructions on the back of the slide reminding me to point the dowel to the north while holding the slide flat.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Commissary

May 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design: Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Every wonder how all those tasty trail meal make it up to the back country camps? Pedro the pack mule? Hiked in by dedicated first year staff? No, its the job of the Philmont Commissary Staff who tireless work to make sure we are resupplied. Here we see our new staffer Barry loaded up and heading out on his first day.

This concept slide honors behind the scenes work the commissary staff does every day getting the many tons (yes tons) of food to the Scouts, Scouters, and Staff. Thank you, because without you I'd have to carry 14 days of food on my back. And the Bear you ask, well sometimes I just make myself laugh at my weird sense humor...

Carved from maple, the tricky part was trying to make the truck look like a loaded truck without making the bear look too small. As a result, the truck is a bit more of a Jeep or perhaps cartoon like. Painted with hobby paints, lettering with waterslide paper, and finished off with a couple coats of Poly.

 

Slide of the Month Extra - Wilderness First Aid

May 2021

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

A subject near to my heart as I have spent a good part of my life learning, practicing or teaching First Aid. I am proud to combine my love of Scouting and emergency medicine as a Wilderness First Aid instructor.

Carved from southern (pallet) pine this is another slide carved in layers. The top layer is the cross followed by the foreground. The Tooth is the next level and the background on the raised part of the arrowhead. The lowest part of the slide has the lettering which is done with waterslide paper. I used hobby paints to color the slide and a couple coats of poly to finish it off.

Slide of the Month - Knight's Sword and Shield

May 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Boys Life "Slide of the Month"

August 1977, page 69

Original design:Wayne Mason












I've heard it said,  Lord Baden Powell used  King Arthur's Code of Chivalry and the Knights of the Round Table when writing his Scouting for Boy. What better way to honor the King Arthur legend by creating an inspired Sword and Shield!

Carved from a couple pieces of  maple, the shield was a quick and easy start. The sword was a bit trickier as the double edged blade and the handle took a steady hand to make. Finished with hobby paints and some painters tape. The royal lion was painted freehand. The sword was glued to the shield as was the coat wire loop. A couple of coats of poly to round this off.

Slide of the Month Extra-Camp Quarantine

April 2021

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

 

Original design:  

Camp Quarantine/Bill Macfarlane

A year ago while the world tried to figure out how to continue on remotely, Scouting tied something new. A hybrid camping experience called Camp Quarantine which included camping in your backyard and participating online experiences.  While not the same as being in the quiet sounds of the woods, I don't like the sound of traffic when I'm tiring to sleep, but it was the only camping experience we had as Scouts until the fall but that's another story. 

Based off the patch for Camp Quarantine, this was carved from maple on the same weekend as Camp Quarantine sitting in front of my tent. (I did paint it inside though) There is something I really like about the solitude of the woods under the stars. 

 

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Blacksmith Forge

 

April 2021

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

The weather is getting warmer. I'm itching to heat, beat, and repeat. The black smith shops around Philmont use coal fired forges like this one to teach blacksmithing so this is my ode to them.

After doing a bunch of slides with different levels, it was nice to try something free hand. So after looking at a couple of pictures of the forges at Philmont, I carved this out of a piece of  bass wood and painted it with hobby paints. I finished it off with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Carson Meadows (Red Cross)

   April 2021

   Time to make: 1.5 hours

   Finishing: 1 hour

   Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

So shortly after I did my concept slide for Carson Meadows, I found this version and it impressed me both in it's simplicity and elegance. 

Carved from maple, it is a simple raised cross but it feels like so much more on the grey background. Painted with hobby paints, lettering with waterslide paper, and finished off with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Baldy Mountain

 

April 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

What an amazing canoe program at Baldy Mountain! It reminds me of the story told to me by Clarke Green over at ScoutmasterCG.com. Two penguins are in a canoe in the desert (or mountain) and one penguin says to the other, "Where's your paddle". The other reply's, "Sure does"

OK, this all started with teaching wood carving merit badge virtually over Zoom. The project was carving a birch bark canoe and when I was done carving, I had a one ready for finishing. The canoe hung around my desk awhile then I came upon a thought for an April fools day slide.  I next I carved the penguins and finally the oar.  I painted the penguins and shellacked the canoe.  Next, I glued the penguins to the canoe and the oar to one of the flippers. The lettering is done with water slide paper and the whole slide is coated with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Carson Meadows

 

March 2021

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Carson Meadows is known for a few things. First it is know as one of the newer camps at Philmont built in 2004. Secondly, the meadow has one of the finest views of the Tooth of Time. Carson Meadow is also know for it's program of search and rescue. My concept slide for Carson Meadow is a rescue basket.

After cutting out the basic shape, I hollowed out the the the inside of the basket and sanded the shape smooth. Next I painted the basket with hobby paints and applied the water slide paper decal before  sealing the basket with a couple of coats of polly. The handrail is made from some stiff wire and the connector are stainless steel wire wound around the handrail and the ends placed into holes drilled into the basket. The wires are secured with super glue

Slide of the Month Extra Tutorial -Everything else Loops

 

In the last of this tutorial series on loops comes everything else I've used to make a loop.  The reasons vary from it was part of the design to experimenting with something I had on hand.

Webbing  

Webbing is an interesting material to use because of it's flexibility and the weatherproof nature of the material.

Webbing attached with pop rivet

Bamboo

Lightweight and strong, bamboo can make some quick and easy loops for slides. (Besides, I had some leftover from making bamboo slides.)

Bamboo glued to Rocks and Mineral slide

Foam

While not my favorite, foam is an interesting material to work with. It's lightweight, easy to work with (think Cubs) and can be sewn or glued with contact cement. Maybe a possible alternative to leather but certainly doesn't have the same strength.

 

Foam loop glued

Pipe

Pipe is another material I've experimented with and 3/4 inch clear or PVC pipe works well

Clear pipe epoxied to Circuit Board slide

Fabric

Quite honestly, I don't do much with fabric when it comes to slide loops.  In the case of the slide below, it came with the mascot.

Fabric loop

Beaded

Wow, I really liked doing this beaded slide which is basically a 360 design. It's a MacLaren Tartan I did for Woodbadge.

Rainbow loom loop

Something fun to try and after I saw one of my Scouts with one of these I had to try it

Rainbow loom loop

Cardboard loop

Not a material I use often because of the strength of it, but a versatile material to work. Considering all the online ordering going on right now, there is a lot of cardboard available. (Which give me another idea for a slide.) 

Cardboard Loop

Well, that's my primer on loops so far (thanks Walt Whitman for the suggestion) but I reserve the right to come up with some other far fetched ideas for loops...